Bill Gates, AI, And How Proverbs 3:5-6 Helps Perspective

Billionaire Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates thinks AI will remove a lot of the jobs and need for human interaction. However, Proverbs 3:5-6 is a great reminder that using technology and being 100 percent dependent on it are two different things.

In a rapidly changing world, coming across topics like artificial intelligence in the workplace can muddy the lines between understanding our purpose in life and reliance on God’s wisdom. Technology is great. It gives everyone the chance to elevate how they do their job and how they live. As Christians, it’s important to remember that as the world changes, our response is the same: Glorify God and trust in His sovereign plan for humanity.

Bill Gates: “Should We Just Work 2 or 3 Days a Week?”

In an article published Thursday by Fortune Magazine, Bill Gates said artificial intelligence will soon replace many human tasks in the workplace, especially in health and education.

“With AI, over the next decade, (intelligence) will become free, commonplace—great medical advice, great tutoring,” he said. Gates added that the service industry will also be affected. “There will be some things that we reserve ourselves for, but in terms of making things and moving things and growing food—over time, those will be basically solved problems,” Gates said.

The AI movement doesn’t seem to be slowing anytime soon. Earlier this month, Axios reported on a survey taken in December 2024 on how employees and company executives view using artificial intelligence in the workplace. In their survey of 800 company executives, it was reported that 59% of the executives said they were “actively looking for a new job with a company that’s more innovative with generative AI.”

How Does Proverbs 3:5-6 Keep Me Grounded?

When people like Bill Gates share these types of thoughts, it’s easy for our minds to wander into worry. However, we must remember our source of true wisdom and direction in those times: Jesus Christ. Proverbs 3:5-6, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” While we are indeed in a time of great innovation, let’s remember how these verses provide insight and keep us grounded:

The verses begin with the instruction to “Trust in the Lord.” While we use technology to do our jobs and live better lives, we should not worry about the future. God has already provided the way for you to go.
Not only do we trust in the Lord, but we do this with all our hearts and lean not to our own understanding. This is an absolute investment through faith and trust. As a result, we can utilize all the great things in human creation without depending 100 percent on them. Our lives belong to the Lord. We use emerging technologies to serve our communities and even share the gospel.
Absolute Investment Means Absolute Submission. Verse 6 begins with “in all your ways submit to him”. If we say we trust the Lord, this is not a problem. When we put the entirety of our lives in our trust in Jesus, the Lord will indeed respond. How? The end of v.6 says, “and he will make your paths straight.”

A Prayer For Less Worry And More Stability

Lord, help us to remain grounded in you. Regardless of what I read in the news, I know you will make my way straight. Help me remember Proverbs 3:5-6. Help me incorporate new technology in my daily life to help me at my job and home, but help me remember that you are my ultimate source.