Bill Gates had high hopes for humanity when the “digital revolution” in which he played a major part was taking off.

At least, that’s what he said during a fireside chat Thursday at The Economic Club of New York. At the same time, the Microsoft cofounder is optimistic about artificial intelligence (AI).

Gates said he expected the internet to make the world a more “factual” place, according to Business Insider. But instead, he said, it has become a tool used by “crazy people” who are often pursuing “crazy ideas.”

“I will admit, the people who drove the digital revolution, including myself, really thought that the world would get more rational,” he said.

Bill Gates: I’m more optimistic about AI because of the near-term solutions.#ECNYGates #EconClubNY #ECNY #Innovation #AI #Technology @BillGates @gatesfoundation @Breakthrough pic.twitter.com/d79AkbLBAY

— The Economic Club of New York (@EconClubNY) December 8, 2023

“There were a lot of them out there. They were just not finding each other,” Gates said of the people with “crazy” ideas. “And now, with digital tools, said: ‘Oh you think that crazy thing? Me too! Let’s get together and have a critical mass of crazy people. Let’s, you know, call ourselves QAnon.'”

More from Insider:

He thought the internet would drive people to search up information and responsibly empower themselves, giving an example of how someone could learn about a lawsuit by looking up what both the plaintiff and defendant claimed without relying on a news article.

And if someone had a question about a topic in science, they could “go read the articles and see everything about them,” the billionaire said.

With a rumor about convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein threatening to expose Gates’ alleged affair with a Russian bridge player circulating online earlier this year, Gates is a bit more cynical these days.

When it comes to disinformation, Gates said he was hopeful that younger generations would be creative enough to solve the problem but he’s open to AI being regulated.

“I’m more optimistic about AI because of the near-term benefits,” he said, believing it could relieve labor shortages and make the world richer.

But Gates said it seems “stupid” to fight against regulation.

The billionaire said innovation was the answer to address problems like climate change and inequities:

Gates: If you want to solve problems, such as inequalities and global health issues, along with climate change, you have to use innovation.#ECNYGates #EconClubNY #ECNY @BillGates @gatesfoundation @Breakthrough pic.twitter.com/zcNo13z7um

— The Economic Club of New York (@EconClubNY) December 8, 2023

In talking about creating innovative companies, Gates sees himself as a “very nice” guy compared to some.

“Everybody is different. Elon [Musk] pushes hard, maybe too much,” Gates said. “Steve Jobs pushed hard, maybe too much.”

“I think of myself as very nice compared to those guys,” he said with a laugh.

Gates told Musk’s biographer, Walter Isaacson, in 2022, “Once he heard I’d shorted the [Tesla] stock, he was super mean to me, but he’s super mean to so many people, so you can’t take it too personally.”

• About
• Latest Posts

Tom Tillison

Senior Staff Writer
Tom@bizpacreview.com

The longest-tenured writer at BizPac Review, Tom grew up in Maryland before moving to Central Florida as a young teen. It is in the Sunshine State that he honed both his passion for politics and his writing skills.

Latest posts by Tom Tillison (see all)

• Muslim scholar in Chicago: ‘Islam did not come to coexist’ - December 13, 2025
• New York man calls into CSPAN and rips Dem Rep a new one - December 12, 2025
• Insane ‘blue slip’ tradition nukes another highly qualified conservative US atty - December 12, 2025

Comment

We have no tolerance for comments containing violence, racism, profanity, vulgarity, doxing, or discourteous behavior. Thank you for partnering with us to maintain fruitful conversation.