BILL GATES: Here's What I Would've Done If Microsoft Didn't Work Out
Mike Nudelman/Business Insider
For those unfamiliar, an AMA is where someone goes on Reddit and allows the greater internet community to ask them anything.
Gates was asked what he would have done if Microsoft hadn't worked out. Here's his response:
"I would probably be a researcher on AI. When I started Microsoft I was worried I would miss the chance to do basic work in that field."
Gates founded Microsoft back in 1975 with Paul Allen, but artificial intelligence was a popular field of research in the '50s and '60s - scientists and researchers discovered that computers could solve math problems, word problems, win at checkers, and even speak English. Gates was still in prep school around this time, where he was getting recognized for his prodigious talents programming computers and software.
But less than a year after Gates enrolled at Harvard University, the US and British governments cut off all exploratory research into AI that wasn't directly government-funded. For almost five years thereafter, the countries experienced what was called an "AI winter." An even longer "winter" occurred starting around 1987, for about another decade.
Despite his longstanding interest in AI, however, Gates also says he is "in the camp that is concerned about super intelligence," which also includes Stephen Hawking and Elon Musk. Hawking believes AI could eventually "outsmart financial markets" and "out-invent human researchers," while Musk similarly believes we could see a "Terminator-like scenario" if we aren't careful about how we manage this technology.
It's interesting to think about what artificial intelligence would be like if Gates started researching in that field 40 years ago - perhaps it would be much improved, or maybe we would all be enslaved by computers by now. We'll never know, since Microsoft became such a resounding success.
- I spent $2,000 for 7 nights in a 179-square-foot room on one of the world's largest cruise ships. Take a look inside my cabin.
- Saudi Arabia wants China to help fund its struggling $500 billion Neom megaproject. Investors may not be too excited.
- Colon cancer rates are rising in young people. If you have two symptoms you should get a colonoscopy, a GI oncologist says.
- Catan adds climate change to the latest edition of the world-famous board game
- Tired of blatant misinformation in the media? This video game can help you and your family fight fake news!
- Tired of blatant misinformation in the media? This video game can help you and your family fight fake news!
- JNK India IPO allotment – How to check allotment, GMP, listing date and more
- Indian Army unveils selfie point at Hombotingla Pass ahead of 25th anniversary of Kargil Vijay Diwas