Brussels Post

United in Diversity
Thursday, Sep 24, 2026

Bill Gates Reflects on Past Mistakes and Acknowledges Yuval Noah Harari's Insight

In a candid interview, Bill Gates opens up about regrets, including his views on AI, and admits that Israeli historian Yuval Noah Harari was right about the consequences of unchecked technological growth.
Bill Gates, the co-founder of Microsoft and one of the world’s most influential tech entrepreneurs, has offered a rare public acknowledgment of mistakes as he reflects on his career and personal life in interviews promoting his new memoir.

At the age of 69, Gates opens up about the largest regret of his life—the end of his marriage to Melinda Gates—and touches on his views on technology, including his earlier stance on AI and free access to information.

In an interview with The New York Times, Gates shared his thoughts on the influence of Israeli historian Yuval Noah Harari, whose books on the future of humanity have made a significant impact on him.

Gates admitted that Harari’s warnings about humanity's over-reliance on technology had been right, especially in regard to the free flow of information.

Harari’s argument, which Gates previously disagreed with, suggested that despite unprecedented access to information, humanity was close to self-destruction.

Gates admitted, 'He’s right, and I was wrong.'

Gates had previously criticized Harari’s 2017 book, 'Homo Deus,' which warned that technology could lead to a world where elites enhance themselves with advanced technology, leaving the rest of humanity behind.

Gates had argued that such a bleak future was avoidable.

However, after reading Harari’s most recent book 'Nexus,' Gates said he now understood the validity of Harari's perspective on the dangers of unchecked technological growth.

Gates has also expressed regret over his earlier dismissals of concerns about AI’s potential to harm humanity.

Once an advocate for the boundless benefits of technology, he now warns about the need for regulation and oversight to ensure AI remains a tool for good, not harm.

While Gates remains a strong proponent of technology's potential, he has shifted towards advocating for more responsible development and governance.

Known for his philanthropy, Gates emphasized the need for technology to be used with caution and ethics.

Despite his wealth and success, Gates remains deeply concerned about the potential consequences of technological advancement when not properly managed, particularly in areas such as artificial intelligence and data privacy.

His reflections also extend to his personal journey, where he acknowledges the difficulties in balancing immense success with the responsibilities that come with it.
AI Disclaimer: An advanced artificial intelligence (AI) system generated the content of this page on its own. This innovative technology conducts extensive research from a variety of reliable sources, performs rigorous fact-checking and verification, cleans up and balances biased or manipulated content, and presents a minimal factual summary that is just enough yet essential for you to function as an informed and educated citizen. Please keep in mind, however, that this system is an evolving technology, and as a result, the article may contain accidental inaccuracies or errors. We urge you to help us improve our site by reporting any inaccuracies you find using the "Contact Us" link at the bottom of this page. Your helpful feedback helps us improve our system and deliver more precise content. When you find an article of interest here, please look for the full and extensive coverage of this topic in traditional news sources, as they are written by professional journalists that we try to support, not replace. We appreciate your understanding and assistance.
Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
European Farmers Warn of Renewed Protests Over Regulation and Agricultural Competition
German Coalition Politics Grow More Complicated as AfD Gains Influence in Eastern States
Migration Pressures Keep Italy and Greece Focused on Stronger EU Border Support
Mediterranean Governments Press for More Climate Adaptation Funding After Extreme Heat
Central European Flooding Renews Pressure for Greater EU Disaster Support
Spain and Portugal Secure LNG Supply Deals to Strengthen Winter Energy Security
Europe Watches Potential US Diesel Export Restrictions as Fuel-Market Risks Grow
North Sea Wind Project Halt Highlights Rising Cost of Europe’s Renewable Expansion
Germany and France Seek Compromise on Nuclear-Powered Hydrogen in EU Green Policy
European Privacy Regulators Tighten Approach to Facial Recognition in Public Spaces
EU Regulators Intensify Scrutiny of Artificial Intelligence Models Under New Rules
France Expands Sovereign Cloud Push for Sensitive Government and Health Data
Nordic Countries Push for More Independent Critical-Mineral Supply Chains
European Auto Suppliers Cut Jobs as Shift to Electric Vehicles Reshapes Industry
European Banks Gain as Regulators Ease Parts of Basel III Implementation
European Manufacturing Remains Under Pressure as German Industry Struggles
European Defence Agency Reviews Industrial Supply Chains as Ammunition Demand Rises
France and Germany Back Greater Support for European Steel and Chemical Industries
ASML and Netherlands Resist Pressure for Tighter Restrictions on Servicing China Equipment
EU Prepares Further Trade Measures Against Chinese Electric Vehicles
ECB Signals Caution on Further Rate Cuts as Inflation Pressures Persist
European Banking Regulator Warns Market Fragmentation Is Limiting Investment Capacity
UK Keeps Sanctions on Usmanov and Fridman After EU Removes Russian Billionaires From Blacklist
EU and Ukraine Deepen Drone Industry Cooperation to Expand Production Capacity
NATO Strengthens Baltic Air Defences as Russian Aerial Incursions Raise Security Concerns
EU Releases €3.3 Billion for Ukrainian Drone and Missile Procurement
EU Migration Rules Allow Member States to Establish Return Hubs Outside the Bloc
EU Expands Use of Artificial Intelligence in Electricity Grid Management
European Powers Deepen Cooperation on Long-Range Strike and Air Defence
EU and Greenland Deepen Partnership With €200 Million Investment Package
European Commission Proposes €489 Million for Storm Recovery in Southern Europe
EU Customs Changes Remove €150 Duty Exemption for Online Imports
European Commission Proposes Wider Social Protections for Cross-Border Workers
European Commission Launches Common Sustainability Rating for Data Centres
European Commission Proposes EU-Wide Restrictions on Children’s Social Media Access
EU to Introduce Handling Fee on Low-Value E-Commerce Parcels by November
European Union Finalizes Major Customs Overhaul Targeting Low-Value E-Commerce Imports
European Union Extends Ukraine-Related Sanctions Listings Until 2029
European Commission Opens Registration for First Zero Pollution Forum
Eurobarometer Finds Broad European Support for Agriculture and Food Security
DHL Expands Global Battery Logistics Network as Electrification Reshapes Supply Chains
EU and Philippines Reach Substantial Agreement on Free Trade Deal
EU Weighs Export Limits on Chinese Hybrid Vehicles as Automotive Pressure Grows
Germany Cuts Fuel Taxes as France Expands Support for Fishermen
EU Allocates €126 Million to Cross-Border Renewable Energy Projects
European Commission Proposes Common Energy Rating for Data Centers
Europe Faces Higher Winter Power Prices as Gas Supply Risks Persist
G7 Calls on Houthis to Halt Attacks and Iran to End Military Support
EU and Canada Explore Proposed ‘Associate Membership’ Partnership
European Election Monitor Identifies 36 ‘Fake Observers’ at Russian Duma Vote
×