Bill Gates is recommending a book that could help people understand the massive changes artificial intelligence is bringing. It's called The Coming Wave: Technology, Power and the Twenty-first Century's Greatest Dilemma and was written by Mustafa Suleyman, a key figure in AI who cofounded DeepMind and now heads Microsoft AI.
Gates says it's the best book he's read on AI because it outlines the huge opportunities ahead while also addressing the risks in a grounded way.
Suleyman's book doesn't shy away from predicting how AI will reshape industries. He points to a 2023 McKinsey report that estimates about 50% of all work activities could be automated by 2030.
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That's not just a minor tweak to how businesses operate – it's a massive shift that could force over 400-800 million people worldwide to learn new skills or completely change careers. Suleyman describes this as inevitable and deeply unsettling for those not ready for what's coming.
According to Suleyman, the idea that AI will only "assist" workers for the long haul is a myth. Sure, it might make people more efficient initially, but AI is ultimately designed to replace labor.
Jobs in administration, customer service and even creative fields like content creation are already seeing this shift. He makes it clear that these aren't hypothetical changes – they're happening now.
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Businesses aren't waiting to adapt, either. An EY 2023 Work Reimagined Survey showed that 22% of employers prioritize training in generative AI-related skills.
A Forbes report indicates that 71% of business leaders prefer candidates with AI skills over those with more experience but lacking such skills. If there's ever been a sign that learning to work with AI is becoming essential, this is it.
Some jobs, though, are harder for AI to replace. Suleyman highlights roles that require creativity, social skills or hands-on problem-solving – like electricians, plumbers and certain white-collar positions. These areas might not feel the brunt of automation yet, but they won't be entirely untouched either. Change is coming for almost everyone.
On the brighter side, AI is expected to create plenty of new opportunities. The World Economic Forum's Future of Jobs Report 2025 predicts that AI will generate 78 million jobs globally by 2030, more than offsetting the roles it eliminates.
But there's a catch: the transition will be anything but smooth. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, during a 2024 event at MIT, warned that many current jobs could disappear before new ones emerge, creating a tough adjustment period for many workers.
Suleyman and Gates both believe AI can improve lives if handled wisely. The potential is enormous, from medical breakthroughs to tackling climate change. Suleyman encourages workers to get ahead by trying AI tools like ChatGPT or enrolling in online courses to develop skills that will matter in an AI-driven world.
"This is a monumental challenge," Suleyman writes, "and its outcome will shape the quality of life for generations to come."
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