Bill Gates says that if he started Microsoft today, he would focus on this industry

Microsoft co-founder and one of the world’s leading technology visionaries, Bill Gates, is turning his attention to a new kind of technology.

In an interview with CNBC, Gates said that if he were to launch a startup today, he would leave his software roots behind and focus directly on artificial intelligence (AI).

“Today, someone could raise billions of dollars for a new AI company (that’s just) a few sketchy ideas,” Gates told CNBC, reflecting AI fervor. So far this year, startups in the field have attracted more than $26 billion in investment, according to CNBC, citing data from PitchBook.

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If the Microsoft co-founder were to jump into the business, Gates said his AI company would either compete with tech giants such as Nvidia, Google and OpenAI or find an area where AI could provide unique value.

“To really stand out as a small company, you have to pick something that you’re going to do uniquely,” Gates told CNBC.

Its shift from software to AI reflects a changing technology landscape. CNBC noted that when Microsoft was founded in 1976, Gates and co-founder Paul Allen were among the few who envisioned a future where computers were part of everyday life.

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“I was fortunate that my belief in software made me unique,” Gates said. “Just believing in AI, that’s not unique. So I should develop a unique vision of how you design AI systems – something that other people haven’t understood.”

The billionaire said entering the AI ​​space at this stage comes with its own set of challenges. With the underlying technologies already being developed by well-funded companies, new entrants may struggle to make an impact. Gates told entrepreneurs to focus on how AI could address specific business needs or improve everyday life — either by automating costly tasks or generating strategic insights with broader applications.

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At 68, Gates’ priorities have changed. Although he once measured success by the growth of Microsoft, today he is more focused on adding value to the world, particularly through his philanthropic work with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and his clean energy investment firm, Breakthrough Energy.

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He encouraged younger minds at Microsoft, OpenAI and other tech companies to push the boundaries of AI, telling them, “Because you’re taking a fresher look at this than I am, and this is your fantastic opportunity.”

Just as his early belief in the personal computer was prophetic, Gates’ focus on AI could once again prove to be a benchmark for the future of technology.

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