Introduction
Bill Gates, the billionaire philanthropist and tech mogul, has issued a stark prediction: by 2035, artificial intelligence (AI) will transform society so profoundly that humans may become largely "obsolete." Speaking on NBC’s *The Tonight Show* with Jimmy Fallon in early 2025, Gates described a future where AI outperforms humans in critical fields like medicine and education, ushering in an era he calls “free intelligence.” As of March 29, 2025, this forecast has sparked intense debate about humanity’s role in an AI-driven world.
Gates’ Vision of Free Intelligence
During his interview with Fallon, Gates highlighted how expertise in medicine and education—currently reliant on “great doctors” and “great teachers”—remains rare and valuable. However, he predicts that within ten years, AI will deliver “great medical advice” and “great tutoring” for free, making such skills ubiquitous. “Humans won’t be necessary for most things,” he stated, pointing to AI’s rapid advancements. In a separate conversation with Harvard professor Arthur Brooks last month, Gates elaborated, calling the shift “profound and a little bit scary” due to its speed and limitless potential.
For more on Gates’ AI insights, watch his full interview on The Tonight Show’s official site.
The Debate Over AI’s Impact
Gates’ forecast aligns with broader discussions about AI’s role in society. Optimists argue it could boost productivity and create new opportunities, such as jobs in AI development or climate solutions—areas Gates believes will benefit from AI breakthroughs. Yet, voices like Microsoft AI CEO Mustafa Suleyman warn of darker outcomes. In his 2023 book *The Coming Wave*, Suleyman describes AI as “fundamentally labor-replacing,” predicting a “hugely destabilizing” impact on jobs. He suggests that while AI may temporarily enhance human efficiency, it will ultimately supplant workers.
Learn more about AI’s economic implications in this BBC analysis.
Optimism Amid Disruption
Despite the potential upheaval, Gates remains hopeful. He envisions AI revolutionizing healthcare with faster diagnoses and personalized treatments, tackling climate change with innovative solutions, and democratizing education through widely available AI tutors. “There’s no upper bound to what this technology can achieve,” he told Brooks, emphasizing its capacity for good. As AI continues to permeate daily life, the challenge will be balancing its benefits with the societal shifts it triggers by 2035.
