In a surprising revelation, Microsoft MSFT co-founder Bill Gates admitted that he underestimated the internet’s ability to propagate misinformation and false beliefs.
What Happened: In a fireside chat on Dec. 7. 2023, as reported by Business Insider, Gates confessed that he initially thought the internet would foster a more fact-based, rational world. He envisioned internet users actively seeking and verifying information, thereby promoting a robust “Socratic debate.”
“I will admit, the people who drove the digital revolution, including myself, really thought that the world would get more rational,” he said.
However, Gates conceded that he didn’t foresee the manipulation of digital platforms by individuals propagating fallacious ideas.
He explained, “There were a lot of them out there. They were just not finding each other. And now, with digital tools, said: ‘Oh you think that crazy thing? Me too! Let’s get together and have a critical mass of crazy people. Let’s, you know, call ourselves QAnon.'”
Despite this, Gates expressed optimism for the future, hoping that the next generation would address the disinformation problem. He also showed continued optimism for Artificial Intelligence (AI), advocating for its regulation.
“I’m more optimistic about AI because of the near-term benefits,” Gates expressed, hinting that AI could provide solutions to labor shortages and enrich the world.
Why It Matters: The QAnon phenomenon, which Gates referred to, has been a controversial topic, with figures like Elon Musk expressing support for QAnon-related individuals. This conspiracy theory has been labeled a domestic terrorist threat by the FBI, leading tech giants like Amazon AMZN to remove QAnon-related products from their platforms.
Gates’ views on AI are not new. He predicted AI would revolutionize the software industry and that personal AI-powered assistants would be available within five years.
Read Next: Microsoft Gets New Security Leader ‘Who Can Shake Things Up’ In Major Reshuffle
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