A bunch of major celebs making cameos to talk about tech with a ‘visionary philanthropist’? Yep, seems like the kind of thing Netflix would pull together for a docuseries.
What’s Next? The Future with Bill Gates has just landed on the platform as the Microsoft co-founder ‘delves into pressing global issues’ and discuses special technologies ‘that will transform the world’.
There are a whopping five episodes of the new documentary, and it features cameos from the likes of Lady Gaga to Bernie Sanders.
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And in Netflix’s first episode, Gates tells James Cameron a major concern he has for the future of humanity.
Following discussions of the benefits of using artificial intelligence (AI) in medicine, the Avatar director says he ‘puts his faith’ in its ability.
However, he does have concerns, adding: “But I think ultimately where this is going, as we take people out of the loop, what are we replacing their sense of purpose of meaning with?”
This is something Gates admits even he is ‘kind of scratching his head’ over.
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“Because the idea that, I ever say to the AI, ‘I’m working on malaria,’ and it says, ‘Oh, I’ll take care of that. You just go play pickleball,” the tech magnate theorises.
Cameron chips in: “That’s not gonna sit very well with you, is it?”
And Gates continues: “My sense of purpose will definitely be damaged.”
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The documentary then shows various people from the industry talking about this issue of AI replacing their jobs in some way which, as the former Microsoft CEO pointed out, affects people mentally.
“What is our role in this new world? How do we adapt to survive?” one asks.
“It’s predictable that we will lose some jobs, but also predictable that we will gain more jobs,” another adds.
“It 100% creates an uncomfortable zone but in the meantime, it creates these opportunities and possibilities of imagining future.”
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As well as looking into AI, What’s Next? The Future with Bill Gates also looks at the impact of conspiracy theories, global warming, the income gap and if technology can help eradicate infectious diseases.
Ahead of the release of the docuseries, Gates told Tudum: “I have always loved learning. Whether at school, Microsoft, or now, as a philanthropist, I consider myself a student.”
Well, if you want to learn with him, What’s Next? The Future with Bill Gates is now streaming on Netflix.
Topics: Bill Gates, Netflix, Documentaries, Technology, Artificial Intelligence, Science
Jess Battison