Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates made a bold prediction about artificial intelligence, saying that everyone will soon have a robot agent in front of them, according to a report in Fortune. “In the near future, everyone online will be able to have a personal assistant, powered by artificial intelligence far beyond current technology,” he said. He added that “software is still pretty stupid even in this day and age.” However, he predicts that the world will “completely change” in the next five years.
He added: “Cops are smarter. They are proactive and can make suggestions before you even ask.”
The tech mogul said everyone will have a personal assistant that can do almost anything, noting that the technology can even arrange entire trips for its users. “When asked, the program will recommend things to do based on your interests and propensity for adventure, and it will book reservations at the types of restaurants you like,” Gates said. He added: “Today, if you want this kind of deeply personalized planning, you have to pay a travel agent and spend time telling them what you want.”
These comments come as the world witnesses advances in AI technology, with the emergence of new platforms such as OpenAI’s ChatGPT, Microsoft’s Bing, Google Bard and Elon Musk’s Grok. Gates further said that AI tools will “do even more” than productivity tools. “If you have an idea for a business, an agent will help you write a business plan, create a presentation for it and even generate images of what your product could look like,” he said.
“Companies will be able to provide agents who can consult directly with their employees and be part of every meeting so they can answer questions,” he continued.
He said no one company will dominate the agent world. He did point out that most AI agents in the future will likely be available at a price. Mr Gates said: “(But) if the number of companies that have only started using AI this year is any indication, there will be an exceptional amount of competition, making agents very cheap. Today, agents are embedded in other software such as word processors and spreadsheets, but eventually they will function independently. Whether you work in an office or out, your agent can help you in the same way that personal assistants support today’s managers.”
The Microsoft co-founder claimed that the technology will be used for various purposes to simplify life and perform more complicated activities than those performed by voice assistants today. He claimed they will be able to help with “virtually any activity and area of life.”
“If your friend just had surgery, your agent will offer to send flowers and be able to order them for you. If you tell him you want to catch up with your old college roommate, he will work with his agent to find a time to get together, and just before you arrive it will remind you that their eldest child has just started studying at the local university,” he said.