S
A conversation with Bill Gates
@ Stripe
02/21/25
Takeaways
BG
Bill Gates
02/21/25
@ Stripe
I started my first business at 13, creating a payroll program for a company that paid me in computer time instead of cash.
BG
Bill Gates
02/21/25
@ Stripe
At 16, I made my first real profit from programming when I developed a scheduling program for my high school, earning $10,000 and $5,000 in computer time.
BG
Bill Gates
02/21/25
@ Stripe
In the early days, there wasn't a venture capital industry, and it was unusual for a 16-year-old to have a profitable business.
BG
Bill Gates
02/21/25
@ Stripe
I learned about business economics from my dad, who was a lawyer, and from a friend who was very career-focused and introduced me to Fortune Magazine.
BG
Bill Gates
02/21/25
@ Stripe
The Homebrew Computer Club meetings were influential in shaping the personal computing movement, similar to how current tech movements like crypto and AI have fervent believers.
BG
Bill Gates
02/21/25
@ Stripe
The early computing movement was driven by a small group of people who envisioned personal computing as a transformative technology.
BG
Bill Gates
02/21/25
@ Stripe
The slogan of Microsoft was 'a computer on every desk and in every home running Microsoft software', reflecting our vision for personal computing.
BG
Bill Gates
02/21/25
@ Stripe
I dropped out of Harvard to pursue my passion for computing, inspired by the exponential improvements in technology and the potential for personal computers.
BG
Bill Gates
02/21/25
@ Stripe
My parents gave me a lot of freedom during my childhood, allowing me to explore and develop my interests, which I believe was crucial for my success.
BG
Bill Gates
02/21/25
@ Stripe
Today, parents are more concerned about safety, which limits the freedom children have to explore and learn independently.
BG
Bill Gates
02/21/25
@ Stripe
I had a very optimistic viewpoint as a child, which was supported by the freedom I had to explore different interests and friendships.
BG
Bill Gates
02/21/25
@ Stripe
The tragic death of my friend Kent Evans at a young age was a stark reminder that freedom comes with risks.
BG
Bill Gates
02/21/25
@ Stripe
Alex Wang, who leads an AI data company, is an example of a successful founder in their 20s today.
S
Stripe Cast
02/21/25
@ Stripe
In every decade, there's been a standout individual in their 20s leading the tech industry, but it seems harder for today's young innovators to reach that level of prominence.
S
Stripe Cast
02/21/25
@ Stripe
The emergence of the microprocessor, optical fiber, and affordable memory chips revolutionized computing, but established companies like IBM failed to adapt to these changes, focusing instead on outdated models.
S
Stripe Cast
02/21/25
@ Stripe
Young entrepreneurs tend to be more open-minded and willing to embrace exponential improvements in technology, unlike some established figures who resist change.
S
Stripe Cast
02/21/25
@ Stripe
The 1970s were a dynamic time for innovation, with many early computer companies emerging, but today, it's more challenging for new startups to gain traction without unique insights that existing companies overlook.
BG
Bill Gates
02/21/25
@ Stripe
Today, the major global risks include climate change, bioterrorism, pandemics, and the control of artificial intelligence, alongside the historical threat of nuclear war.
BG
Bill Gates
02/21/25
@ Stripe
Nuclear war remains a significant concern, and while we've avoided catastrophic events since World War II, complacency about nuclear threats is dangerous.
BG
Bill Gates
02/21/25
@ Stripe
The ability to concentrate deeply on a subject is invaluable, and while being on the autism spectrum may present challenges, it can also enhance focus and dedication to learning.
BG
Bill Gates
02/21/25
@ Stripe
Trust in universities has declined significantly, reflecting a broader trend of distrust in institutions, which is concerning as society faces rapid changes driven by technology.
BG
Bill Gates
02/21/25
@ Stripe
The University of Chicago promotes open debate and critical thinking, rejecting the idea that certain doctrines cannot be questioned, which is essential for restoring trust in higher education.
BG
Bill Gates
02/21/25
@ Stripe
My upbringing in a Christian Science family instilled strong values and morals, which influenced my approach to business and personal integrity.
BG
Bill Gates
02/21/25
@ Stripe
The shift from traditional communication methods to modern digital tools has made it harder to take time for deep thinking, especially for CEOs who face constant demands. I would take two weeks a year for think weeks, where I would disconnect from email and focus on reading papers and writing strategy memos for Microsoft.
BG
Bill Gates
02/21/25
@ Stripe
In today's world, it's crucial to pull yourself away from the constant stream of information to think deeply about strategy.
BG
Bill Gates
02/21/25
@ Stripe
AI is a significant development for everyone, and it can help us tackle major global health issues like eradicating malaria and finishing polio eradication.
BG
Bill Gates
02/21/25
@ Stripe
The Gates Foundation aims to ensure that patients in Africa may receive AI medical advice even sooner than those in highly regulated rich world markets, which is a very cool prospect.
BG
Bill Gates
02/21/25
@ Stripe
I want the poorest African farmer to have better agricultural advice than the richest farmer in the world today, using AI to provide that information.
BG
Bill Gates
02/21/25
@ Stripe
The ambition level of the Gates Foundation in developing countries is much more aggressive and exciting now that AI has come along.
BG
Bill Gates
02/21/25
@ Stripe
In the 2030s, I believe nuclear energy will become as cheap as solar energy, making it less weather-dependent and more accessible.
BG
Bill Gates
02/21/25
@ Stripe
The future of energy will depend on successfully developing nuclear fission and fusion technologies, as well as breakthroughs in energy storage.
BG
Bill Gates
02/21/25
@ Stripe
The economic systems we have today are designed for a world with scarce labor, but with AI, labor will not be a scarce input anymore.
BG
Bill Gates
02/21/25
@ Stripe
In the future, we may see a tax system that subsidizes labor instead of taxing it, as robots will significantly change the labor market.
BG
Bill Gates
02/21/25
@ Stripe
Overall, people today are better off than in the past, with more access to information and learning opportunities than I had growing up.
BG
Bill Gates
02/21/25
@ Stripe
The pace of innovation is greater today than ever, and I believe we will see significant advancements in healthcare, including cures for diseases like HIV and polio.