Bill Gates, the co-founder of Microsoft, has called on the younger generation to tackle the growing problem of misinformation.
According to a report by Business Insider, Gates highlighted the severity of the issue during an interview with CNBC, stating, “Misinformation is the one where I, a little bit, had to punt and say, ‘OK, we’ve handed this problem to the younger generation,'” He emphasized that technology has amplified the spread of fake news, which has become a significant issue. The flood of false claims on social media has become increasingly difficult to detect, especially with the advent of artificial intelligence (AI).
A survey conducted last year by the Pew Research Center revealed that 65% of American adults believe tech companies should take stronger measures to curb misinformation and violent content online.
Gates recognized the difficulty in tackling the issue, admitting he did not have all the answers. He stressed the importance of upholding freedom of the press. Reflecting on his early days at Microsoft, which he co-founded in 1975, he remembered his initial optimism that people would use computers and the internet responsibly. However, he now acknowledges that the situation has evolved, with individuals seeking “correct information” on topics like medical advice but often succumbing to confirmation bias.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Gates himself became the target of several conspiracy theories related to vaccines, one of which claimed he inserted microchips into vaccines to track people. This rumor also affected his youngest daughter, Phoebe.
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