Maths and coding skills matter even in the age of AI, crucial to understand how it works, says Bill Gates

As artificial intelligence (AI) rapidly evolves, with machines becoming increasingly skilled at tasks like coding, there’s a common assumption that humans may soon be sidelined in favour of technology. However, Bill Gates, the co-founder of Microsoft and one of the leading figures in tech, argues that this isn’t the case.  

Despite the growing capabilities of AI-powered systems, Gates insists that humans still need to grasp the fundamentals of mathematics and coding. In a recent interview with Axios, he explained why these foundational skills are more important than ever, especially for those looking to fully understand and interact with AI technology.

Why human skills matter

Gates drew a comparison between learning coding and mastering multiplication, even though computers are highly efficient at performing both tasks. He explained that while AI can handle specific tasks, it’s important for humans to deeply understand the concepts behind them, such as numbers and algorithms.

More from Tech

AI at work: Why it’s helping the boss more than the rest of us

He put it simply, saying that if you want to understand multiplication or how numbers work, you need to engage with them regularly. This foundational understanding is equally vital for working with AI, even though many of the technical tasks can now be automated.

Maths is the key to understanding AI

For Gates, the bedrock of understanding AI is rooted in mathematics. He expressed concern that programmers without a strong mathematical foundation may struggle to grasp the deeper concepts behind the technologies they work with.

Gates stated that understanding the “innards” of AI helps people make sense of its sometimes baffling behaviours—why it can appear incredibly intelligent at times and surprisingly off-track at others. As AI continues to evolve, Gates believes that grasping these underlying principles will become even more important as the technology grows increasingly sophisticated and unpredictable.

Editor’s Picks

1

Download DeepSeek, go to jail for 20 yrs: US Senator Hawley proposes prison time for using Chinese AI 2

OpenAI on the wrong side of history and needs a new open-source strategy says CEO Sam Altman

AI’s role in education: Rethinking assessment

In addition to its impact on the workforce, Gates also discussed AI’s influence on education. While he acknowledged that AI could disrupt traditional methods of assessing learning, he suggested that alternative approaches could provide more meaningful measurements.

He referenced educational innovator Sal Khan, who proposed that students submit logs of their AI interactions rather than just their final work, enabling teachers to better gauge the student’s involvement. Gates also highlighted the importance of testing students without the aid of AI, ensuring they truly understand the material.

Preparing students for the future

Finally, Gates rejected the notion of banning AI in schools, arguing that such an approach would be both counterproductive and unrealistic. He pointed out that in the future, students will inevitably encounter AI in the workplace, making it essential for them to become familiar with the technology early on.

Gates believes that embracing AI in education will help prepare students for the rapidly evolving job market and equip them with the skills needed to thrive in a world increasingly shaped by AI.