Artificial Intelligence will be instrumental in advancing critical sectors such as health, education, and agriculture, according to Microsoft co-founder and philanthropist, Bill Gates.
Gates made this assertion during a high-profile meeting with Indonesia’s President Prabowo Subianto in Jakarta on Wednesday. Addressing Indonesian leaders and philanthropists, Gates expressed strong optimism that AI will revolutionize how societies tackle global challenges.
“AI is going to help us discover new tools. And even in the delivery of health, education and agriculture advice, we’ll be using AI,” he said. Gates emphasized the role of technology in eradicating diseases, noting, “Once we finish eradicating polio, we’d like to try to eradicate measles and malaria as well… part of my optimism about the innovation is because we now have artificial intelligence.”
President Prabowo responded by highlighting the philanthropic contributions of Gates and others, revealing that over $159 million has been donated to Indonesia since 2009, primarily for healthcare initiatives such as vaccine development.
Later, both leaders visited a primary school in Jakarta to observe a student feeding initiative, part of a national nutrition program backed by the Indonesian government.
Gates’ remarks come as the global health community continues efforts to eradicate polio, a disease that remains endemic in a few regions despite decades of campaigns led by the World Health Organization and other UN agencies.
