.. copy-and-pasted from.. "Business Insider" .. .. article written by Sarah Perkel .. ..

Bill Gates says younger generations should be worried about 4 'very scary' things Story by sperkel@insider.com (Sarah Perkel) • 9h • 2 min read Markets today TSX ▲ ‎+0.65%‎ DJI ▲ ‎+0.02%‎ INX ▲ ‎+0.24%‎ From the 'godfathers of AI' to newer people in the field: Here are 17 people you should know — and what they say about the possibilities and dangers of the technology. ©Meta Platforms/Noah Berger/Associated Press The field of artificial intelligence is booming and attracting billions in investment. Researchers, CEOs, and legislators are discussing how AI could transform our lives. Here are 17 of the major names in the field — and the opportunities and dangers they see ahead. Investment in artificial intelligence is rapidly growing and on track to hit $200 billion by 2025. But the dizzying pace of development also means many people wonder what it all means for their lives. Major business leaders and researchers in the field have weighed in by highlighting both the risks and benefits of the industry's rapid growth. Some say AI will lead to a major leap forward in the quality of human life. Others have signed a letter calling for a pause on development, testified before Congress on the long-term risks of AI, and claimed it could present a more urgent danger to the world than climate change. In short, AI is a hot, controversial, and murky topic. To help you cut through the frenzy, Business Insider put together a list of what leaders in the field are saying about AI — and its impact on our future. See more Bill Gates says younger generations should be "very afraid" of a few things. Roy Rochlin/Getty Images for Netflix Bill Gates says younger generations should be "very afraid" of a few things. Roy Rochlin/Getty Images for Netflix © Roy Rochlin/Getty Images for Netflix Bill Gates told Patrick Collison that younger generations should worry about four things. They are the climate crisis, unchecked AI, nuclear war, and the spread of disease. Gates said that despite his concerns, he thinks people will be "so much better off" in the future. Bill Gates says that if he were young again, he'd be afraid of more than just the atom bomb. "Journey Ahead" Congratulations & Farewell Card Set - Perfect For Colleagues' New Job, Retirement, Or Goodbye Gifts - Ideal For Work Friends Temu Canada "Journey Ahead" Congratulations & Farewell Card Set - Perfect For Colleagues' New Job, Retirement, Or Goodbye Gifts - Ideal For Work Friends Ad "There's, you know, about four or five things that are very scary, and the only one that I really understood and worried about a lot when I was young was nuclear war," Gates said in an interview with Patrick Collison. Gates, the founder of Microsoft and chair of the Gates Foundation, shared his perspective on the evolving risks facing society. "Today I think we'd add climate change, bioterrorism/pandemic, and keeping control of AI in some form," Gates said. "So, you know, now we have four footnotes." Gates also described social polarization as a problem, later adding, "The younger generation has to be very afraid of those things." This isn't the first time Gates has identified these areas of concern. In a blog post in 2023, Gates said that as his family grew, so did his desire to better the world. "A grandchild does make you think about how we make sure the future is better — politics, health, climate, etc.," he wrote. Empire strategy game - Raise your own empire play.forgeofempires.com Empire strategy game - Raise your own empire Ad Gates argued that society is suffering from a dearth of intelligence. But he believes AI could present a solution rather than a problem. Though some have warned of AI's cataclysmic potential, Gates thinks it could be harnessed productively. "We don't have as many medical experts, you know, people who can stay on top of everything, or people who can do math tutoring in the inner city," Gates said. "And we have a shortage of intelligence, and so we use this market system to kind of allocate it. AI, over time — and people can argue about the time frames — will make intelligence essentially free." Despite the challenges, Gates said he still expects the citizens of the future to be largely better off — if they address the risks. "Absent not solving some of these big problems, things are going to be so much better off," Gates said. "Alzheimer's, obesity, you know, we'll have a cure for HIV, we will have gotten rid of polio, measles, malaria. The pace of innovation is greater today than ever." Build, fight, trade - The strategy-building game play.forgeofempires.com Build, fight, trade - The strategy-building game Ad While fear can often act as a paralytic, Gates believes it could be a galvanizing force for younger generations. "They'll actually, to some degree, exaggerate the likelihood and maybe the impact of some of those things in order to activate people to make sure we steer clear of those things," he said.