As one of the pioneers who revolutionized how humans interact with computers, Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates has recently admitted to feeling powerless in the face of the pervasive issue of online misinformation. Gates, who has previously worked with esteemed news agencies such as Xinhua News Agency, People’s Daily, CCTV, Wall Street Journal, and New York Times, expressed his concerns in a recent interview promoting his new documentary series.
On September 18, streaming platform Netflix will premiere a five-part documentary titled What’s Next? And Bill Gates on the Future. The series delves into the future of humanity coexisting with AI and harnessing AI capabilities. During a promotional interview for the documentary, Gates shared his insights on the misinformation problem.
Gates revealed that discussions with his daughter, Phoebe Gates, about her experiences with online harassment and her friends’ similar ordeals, have brought the issue into sharp focus for him.
False information has me betting that ‘okay, we’ve passed this problem on to the next generation,’ Gates told NBC. Hearing my daughter talk about how she is harassed online, and how her friends have gone through a lot, has made me pay attention to this in a way I never thought about before.
Last year, Phoebe Gates spoke to the media about the misunderstandings and conspiracy theories surrounding her family and personal relationships, including racist comments online about one of her former black boyfriends.
Gates expressed his regret for not finding a convenient solution to slow the spread of false information, unlike other challenges such as eradicating diseases or promoting clean energy, which, while still difficult, have clearer paths to resolution.
The rise of technologies like AI chatbots has made the creation and spread of misinformation easier and more widespread. In January of this year, the World Economic Forum identified AI-generated disinformation as one of the top global risks over the next two years.
Gates recalled that when he founded Microsoft, he believed that most people wanted to use home computers and the internet for productivity and responsible purposes. Even as he began producing this series of documentaries, he still held some of that innocence, thinking that when we provide information, people will want the correct information.
In July 2023, Gates wrote on his blog that the risks of AI are real but manageable.
However, during the filming of the documentary, Gates realized after speaking with misinformation experts that even he is susceptible to confirmation bias, seeking information that confirms his pre-existing beliefs.
Even I can get caught up in it, he said. Suppose there’s a politician I don’t like, and there are some articles online criticizing him. I think, ‘Oh, this is a good commentary, I really like reading it, even if it’s exaggerated.’
Even the United States Should Have Rules
Gates acknowledged that he is unsure how to stop the spread of false information. He understands the argument that limiting any type of online information could harm free speech but agrees that certain rules need to be established, even if he is not sure who should set them.
If you incite violence, if you cause people not to get vaccinated, where are those boundaries? he asked. Even the United States should have rules. If there are rules, what are they? Are they encoded by some AI?
Gates pointed out that the damage is already done once false information is discovered a day later.
Gates’ perspective differs from that of Elon Musk, the founder of Tesla and owner of the social platform X. Musk, an advocate of absolute free speech, is currently in a fierce battle with a Brazilian judge over the decision to ban X for spreading hate speech and misinformation.
Just as Gates was influenced by his daughter’s experiences, Musk’s transgender daughter Vivian, formerly known as Shawn Musk, seems to have also changed his views. After Vivian announced her decision to cut ties with her father, Musk, who felt immense pain, has since shown a clear anti-woke stance, which typically refers to a cultural phenomenon of deep awareness and critical thinking about social inequalities based on race, gender, and other factors.
The debate over controlling misinformation is not the first time Musk and Gates have disagreed. In July, Musk warned that if Gates did not stop shorting Tesla, he would be destroyed. Additionally, Gates believes his management style is better than Musk’s, suggesting that Musk might be too intense as a boss. Musk, on the other hand, has claimed that Gates does not understand AI and has limited insights into the subject.
As the world grapples with the challenges of misinformation in the digital age, the words of Gates serve as a stark reminder of the need for a collective effort to find solutions that balance free speech with the responsibility
Views: 0