Bill Gates: AI Will Probably Be 'Superior' to People —Predicts It Could End Doctor Shortages and We Won't Need Humans 'For Most Things'

Bill Gates doesn't just see AI as a breakthrough—he sees it as a turning point. For doctors, for teachers, for many of the roles once considered safe from automation. In two recent interviews, the Microsoft co-founder laid out a future where intelligence isn't rare or elite—it's abundant, automated, and free. According to Harvard Magazine, Gates sat down with professor Arthur Brooks at Harvard's Sanders Theatre to discuss his memoir "Source Code" last year. But the most headline-worthy moment wasn't about the past. It was Gates' stark prediction about what AI will do next. Don't Miss: The AI Marketing Platform Backed by Insiders from Google, Meta, and Amazon — Invest at $0.85/Share Sam Altman Says AI Will Transform the Economy — This Platform Lets Investors Back Private Tech Early In the interview, Gates said artificial intelligence will ease shortages in fields like medicine and education by taking over tasks traditionally done by humans. He reportedly described a future where machines manage primary-care diagnostics, especially in places lacking medical professionals. In that context, Gates told Brooks, "the machine will probably be superior to humans—because the breadth of knowledge that you need to make some of these decisions really goes beyond individual human cognition." Gates didn't suggest human professionals would vanish overnight. But he made clear that when machines can deliver diagnoses more accurately, more affordably, and more consistently than people—they won't be sidekicks. They'll be replacements. And it's not just about medicine. Harvard Magazine reports that Gates framed the rise of AI as part of the same arc that turned bulky corporate computers into personal tools. Only now, the commodity isn't hardware—it's intelligence itself. "What we're doing now [in artificial intelligence] is kind of an extension of the digital revolution," he said, "and all of those things are about free intelligence." Trending: Blue-chip art has historically outpaced the S&P 500 since 1995, and fractional investing is now opening this institutional asset class to everyday investors. That phrase—free intelligence—is central to Gates' view. Once reserved for rare professionals with years of education, high-quality expertise will soon be as accessible as Wi-Fi. In education, Gates predicted, AI could reshape the classroom, adapting to each student and even learning how to keep them motivated. In healthcare, it will take pressure off overworked doctors and bring diagnostic tools to parts of the world that never had them. But Gates also issued a warning. More access doesn't always mean better outcomes. "[Sometimes when] you empower humans, it doesn't always get pushed in the right direction," he said, according to Harvard Magazine. The very systems designed to educate or heal could just as easily spread misinformation or bias—if deployed without care. Gates acknowledged this isn't just a shift in technology—it's a shift in power. That same caution appeared during his appearance on "The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon" last year. Asked about the pace of change, Gates reflected on how computing once felt expensive and exclusive—and now intelligence itself is entering the same phase transition. "The era that we're just starting is that intelligence is rare," Gates said. "And with AI, over the next decade, that will become free, commonplace… great medical advice, great tutoring." See Also: Americans With a Financial Plan Can 4X Their Wealth — Get Your Personalized Plan from a CFP Pro When Fallon asked whether humans would still be needed, Gates didn't hesitate. "Not for most things," he said. A few roles might survive—he mentioned baseball and talk shows—but the vast majority of tasks people are trained to do? Machines will do them better, faster, and cheaper. For investors, that future isn't just disruptive—it's investable. As AI reshapes industries like education, healthcare, and logistics, some are looking beyond Big Tech and turning to early-stage platforms. Startups focused on diagnostics, learning tools, and productivity automation are drawing serious capital. Platforms like Fundrise offer everyday investors a chance to back emerging AI companies—often with as little as $10. It's an exciting future, especially if artificial intelligence really can solve chronic shortages in doctors and educators. But as Gates reminded both Harvard students and late-night audiences, access alone won't guarantee progress. What we do with free intelligence still depends on the people holding the keys. Read Next: Security and regulation matter in crypto — explore Kraken Pro's compliance-first trading platform. Image: Imagn