Billionaire philanthropist Bill Gates has often warned about critical global challenges such as climate disasters and cyberattacks. However, what keeps him awake at night are the risks of war and pandemics. Speaking to CNBC, Gates predicted that another pandemic is likely within the next 25 years.
Gates expressed concerns about the world’s readiness for such an event, questioning whether nations are better prepared than they were during the Covid-19 outbreak. Reflecting on the United States’ response to Covid-19, he said, “The country expected to lead fell short.”
In his 2022 book How to Prevent the Next Pandemic, Gates criticized governments worldwide for their lack of preparedness during the 2020 pandemic. He proposed key measures such as better quarantine strategies, improved disease tracking, and increased funding for vaccine research.
Gates believes that although the world has learned some lessons from the Covid-19 pandemic, progress has been slower than expected. “We’re still not fully reflecting on what we did well and where we fell short,” he noted.
Another significant concern for Gates is the impact of artificial intelligence (AI). He sees AI as a transformative force in the next five years, bringing both challenges and opportunities. While some fear AI’s effect on employment, Gates remains optimistic, emphasizing its potential for creating new opportunities.
The Microsoft co-founder is hopeful that the lessons from Covid-19 will eventually lead to stronger global systems, but he believes that much more needs to be done to prevent the next pandemic.
With increasing global instability and unpredictable challenges ahead, Gates remains focused on advocating for better preparation to face future pandemics and crises.
Sekar Rao