For years, Bill Gates was one of artificial intelligence's most prominent optimists, predicting the technology could transform medicine, fight climate change and eventually free people from much of the work that dominates their lives. Now, the Microsoft co-founder says AI is advancing so quickly that, for the first time in his life, he finds himself wishing a new technology would slow down.
In a new essay published Wednesday and an interview with The Washington Post as well, Gates warned that AI could ultimately do more harm than good without urgent intervention.
