Bill Gates Names His Prediction For The ‘Next Big Thing’ In Technology

If there’s one person who’s pioneered the age of the internet, it’s Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates. As such, who better than him to predict what the “next big thing” in technology will be?

And no, it’s not the metaverse. While he thinks Web3 has its merits, Gates feels artificial intelligence will surpass it, with the billionaire saying in a Reddit Ask Me Anything segment that he thinks the technology “is quite revolutionary.” 

As Interesting Engineering points out, this view is seemingly at odds with Meta’s Mark Zuckerberg, who in recent years has been investing billions of dollars into a digital universe where we’ll interact with others via avatars. 

While it’s too early to tell if AI will outlast Web3, it’s certainly gaining steam in the mainstream. From ChatGPT’s rise in popularity to the proliferation of AI art generators, it seems nearly everyone has tried their hand at one software or two. 

In fact, AI has begun seeping into facets of life that were previously unthought of, such as how a digital system is scheduled to defend its first case in a United States courtroom. 

Understandably, some fear that they may find themselves replaced by AI soon. Gates, however, disagrees, saying that in the case of teachers and doctors, the world needed more of these professionals, not fewer. 

Plus, he feels that AI could have a significant impact on the quality of education and healthcare worldwide, where machine learning systems could be used to tutor children or make telehealth more accessible in rural areas. 

With Microsoft looking to pump another US$10 billion into OpenAI, it’s pretty clear where Gates’ and the company’s intentions lie. Will his prediction come to pass? You’ll find out in a decade. 

[via Interesting Engineering and Tech Times, cover image via Hemanzhang | Dreamstime.com]