Bill Gates AMA Wrap-Up: Using A Surface 2 PRO, Bitcoin, Microsoft's CEO
This morning Microsoft founder Bill Gates answered questions from users from around the world in his second "AMA" session on Reddit. It was there that he confirmed oddities small and answered questions large, building off his pre-made "myths" video released today as well. One of the first – and perhaps smallest – factoids confirmed by Gates was that the device he uses regularly is a Microsoft Surface 2 PRO.
As is the way with a Bill Gates Question and Answer session, this one included both oddities and extremely serious questions and answers on the Gates Foundation. Another odd question answered was whether or not Gates was still able to leap over a chair from standing position as he used to be able to. Unfortunately the answer is no.
"No I cannot. I can still jump but not over a full sized garbage can like I used to be able to. Be careful – it can hurt if you don't succeed." – Bill Gates
When pressed with the idea that "it probably still depends on the size of the chair," Gates suggested that "Yes. A small enough chair I can still jump over." Gates also spoke up on the new CEO of Microsoft Satya Nadella, suggesting that "Satya is taking a fresh view of where Microsoft is – strengths and weaknesses. A new person gets to step back and change the focus in some ways. He is off to a great start." Gates was also asked to describe his new role at Microsoft.
"I am excited about how the cloud and new devices can help us communicate and collaborate in new ways. The OS won't just be on one device and the information won't just be files – it will be your history including being able to review memories of things like kids growing up.
I was thrilled Satya asked me to pitch in to make sure Microsoft is ambitious with its innovation. Even in Office there is a lot more than can be done." – Bill Gates
Gates Annual Gates Foundation Letter spoke volumes on his involvement with the group and where they were headed in the future, but it was Gates' comment on Bitcoin that stole the show today. Here he suggested that "the foundation is involved in digital money" and that the Kenya M-pesa is ramping up. Linking to Impatient Optimists, a blog that's part of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, a blog post written by Gates himself, Gates let it be known that digital currencies have great potential.
"The foundation is involved in digital money but unlike Bitcoin it would not be anonymous digital money. In Kenya M-pesa is being used for almost half of all transactions. Digital money has low transaction costs which is great for the poor because they need to do financial transactions with small amounts of money.
Over the next 5 years I think digital money will catch on in India and parts of Africa and help the poorest a lot." – Bill Gates
So that's not necessarily Bitcoin specifically, but Gates suggesting that there's a future in the world of digital currency. Sound like a good bet to you? This AMA began at 10AM PST on the 10th of February, 2014, and ended about an hour after it started. Have a peek at a few other Bill Gates moments in the timeline below as well.