The year ahead – Optimism with footnotes (www.gatesnotes.com)

As we enter 2026, Bill Gates shares his optimistic vision for the future, emphasizing the vital role of innovation, particularly driven by artificial intelligence (AI), in tackling global challenges. Despite setbacks in child mortality rates and budget cuts affecting aid to poorer countries, Gates believes that advancements in technology can lead to significant progress in health care, climate change, and education. He underscores that while the innovation pipeline offers hope, sustaining this momentum requires increased generosity from wealthy nations and a collaborative approach to address disparities. Gates identifies three pressing questions for the AI/ML community to consider: Will the world prioritize funding for health and education? How can AI facilitate equality and health care access for all, especially in low-resource settings? Finally, how can we manage the disruptions caused by AI in the job market and governance? He highlights the need for well-structured government policies to harness AI's potential while mitigating harmful consequences, such as job displacement and risks of misuse. By emphasizing these challenges alongside his optimism, Gates calls for collective action to ensure that future innovations benefit everyone, particularly the most vulnerable populations.