Tech visionary Bill Gates sees artificial intelligence as a powerful tool to tackle critical shortages in healthcare and education.
As AI weaves itself deeper into daily work life, many worry about which jobs might be automated away. Gates, co-founder of Microsoft, has weighed in on this debate—identifying careers at risk while emphasizing that some fields, like software engineering and life sciences, remain too complex for AI to fully replace.
In a recent conversation, Gates highlighted how AI could play a vital role in addressing the persistent lack of doctors and teachers worldwide. Drawing from his extensive work in global health, he pointed to countries such as India and many across Africa, where recruiting and retaining healthcare professionals remains a major challenge — a gap AI might help close by providing essential support.
The United States faces a similar challenge. A 2023 study by the Association of American Medical Colleges forecasts a staggering shortage of up to 86,000 doctors—both general practitioners and specialists—by 2036.
AI’s integration into healthcare could be a game-changer in easing this strain. Innovative health-tech startups like Suki, Zephyr AI, and Tennr are already developing solutions that tackle time-consuming administrative tasks such as billing and documentation. Beyond that, these technologies aim to boost diagnostic accuracy and identify the right patients for cutting-edge treatments. According to McKinsey, AI has the potential to drive efficiency gains worth up to $370 billion in healthcare and pharmaceuticals.
Education is another sector primed for transformation through AI.
Data from the U.S. Department of Education in 2023 revealed that 86% of public K-12 schools struggled to hire enough teachers for the 2023–2024 school year. Nearly half of all public schools reported being understaffed, highlighting an urgent need for innovative solutions that AI could help address.
Across the pond in the UK, some schools are already embracing AI in the classroom. At David Game College in London, students are using ChatGPT to study subjects like English, math, biology, and computer science, helping them prepare more effectively for exams.
While some educators worry about potential misuse of AI for cheating, others told Business Insider they see AI as a valuable tool that could save teachers time and enrich students’ learning experiences.
Bill Gates also urged people not to fear the rise of AI. Instead, he envisions it paving the way for improved work-life balance. “You might be able to retire earlier or enjoy shorter workweeks,” he said. “We’ll need to reevaluate how we spend our time—almost philosophically.”
