Technology has transformed access to information, but it has also given rise to a serious challenge: misinformation. According to Bill GatesThis is the biggest problem facing the new generation and, most worryingly, there seems to be no solution.
In a recent interview with CNBC, Gates expressed concern about how technology, particularly generative AI, has made it easier for falsehoods to be created and rapidly spread. He says this makes the damage irreversible, as once misinformation spreads, it is nearly impossible to correct it before it causes a negative impact.
Gates acknowledges that despite his efforts to address other issues such as climate change and poverty, misinformation remains a challenge with no clear solution. The speed with which falsehoods spread before the truth reaches the public is what makes it so complicated.
The personal impact of misinformation has also touched Gates. His daughter and her friends were harassed online due to false information, which made him see the problem in a new light. This experience led him to reflect on the seriousness of the phenomenon and its consequences.
Gates admits that setting clear rules is difficult and he is not sure who should be in charge of enforcing them or what limits should be respected. However, he recognizes the urgent need to do something about it.
Gates concludes that while efforts have been made to mitigate the problem, such as digital literacy and content moderation, these have not been enough. The human tendency to seek out information that confirms our beliefs only makes the situation worse. For Gates, this is a problem that the current generation will inevitably have to face.