The future of work: Bill Gates advocates for a 3-day week, thanks to AI’s transformative power

Billionaire philanthropist Bill Gates, renowned for his advocacy of artificial intelligence (AI), envisions a future where a three-day workweek could become a reality. Speaking on Trevor Noah's podcast "What Now," Gates highlighted the transformative potential of AI, emphasising that it won't replace jobs but rather reshape them significantly. Gates believes that with a manageable transition and government support, society could evolve into one where manual labor is reduced, allowing for increased leisure time.

AI's positive impacts

Throughout the 45-minute conversation, Gates expressed optimism about AI's positive potential. He sees AI as a productivity booster, especially in fields like programming, testing, and healthcare. The philanthropist pointed out AI's capability to streamline tasks, such as reducing paperwork for healthcare professionals. Gates acknowledged the limitations of understanding AI fully, citing examples of basic mathematical errors made by AI systems. He also raised concerns about AI's potential misuse for deepfakes and cyberattacks.

Gates' career reflections and technology's moral impact

Reflecting on his journey from Microsoft to philanthropy, Gates shared insights into his early fascination with technology. Recalling a childhood incident involving a costly mistake made on a computer, Gates highlighted the challenges of that era. Gates, who saw computers as tools for achieving higher values and morality, emphasised how technology allowed individuals to access information, promoting transparency and understanding.

Interesting, there has been considerable controversy surrounding Infosys co-founder Narayana Murthy's statement recently, advocating for Indian youths to dedicate a minimum of 70 hours per week to work. Murthy emphasised the necessity for such an extensive work commitment to enhance productivity and enable competition with rapidly advancing nations like China and Japan.