Bill Gates has expressed concern over the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence, yet he pointed out that certain professions may still remain relatively protected. In a recent interview, the Microsoft cofounder said he regularly tests AI systems with complex queries and noted that their improvements often surprise him.
While AI is expected to eliminate many routine or rule-based roles, Gates identified software developers, energy sector professionals, and biologists as fields likely to retain stability for now. He argued that AI still relies on human direction and intervention, for example in debugging or managing complex systems.
He questioned whether people would trust AI to autonomously control critical infrastructures—like national power grids—without oversight, implying that human judgment remains indispensable. In biosciences, he said, research and discovery still lean heavily on human intuition, creativity, and the capacity for formulating hypotheses.
Gates also speculated that AI-driven productivity may reshape how we work, suggesting that shorter workweeks or greater flexibility could emerge in the future. However, he acknowledged the darker side of technological disruption: entry-level roles, often the entry point for new professionals, might be most vulnerable to displacement.
A McKinsey survey from 2025 supports this concern, showing many young professionals believe AI already threatens their career prospects. As AI continues to evolve, Gates’ warning underscores not only which roles may survive—but how swiftly the transition could happen.
