Bill Gates complains to tech companies about ‘laughable’ Covid conspiracy theories

Microsoft founder Bill Gates says he has complained to tech companies about conspiracy theories about Covid-19 circulating online.

Conspiracy theories circulated on social media by anti-vaccination campaigners suggested Mr Gates was using the COVID-19 vaccine to control people, with some even saying he wanted to implant microchips in people.

Mr Gates told 7.30: “Maybe I should complain more, but I will point out people who promote fake stories or even silly misinformation when they are published.

“There’s a constant conversation of anyone who finds this crazy thing in print, goes to digital platforms and says, ‘Hey, look at this, look at that.'”

At a time when governments around the world were reeling from the outbreak, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation helped mobilize an international response, including donating $751 million ($1.05 billion) to the World Health Organization, more than any other country except Germany.

Traditional news sources have fueled the spread of conspiracy theories about the billionaire philanthropist’s involvement in international vaccination campaigns.

“I think that even if it’s a laugh, it’s always brought up more than the mainstream news media. It’s done more to spread the word,” he said.

Despite the spread of misinformation online, Mr Gates said he was optimistic about the future of social media.

“We have a generation that is hopeful about social media innovation and how we can use it as a force for good,” he said.

“He’s done a lot of good things, you know, I’m not sure that’s the best use of his time,” Gates said of Twitter’s new owner, Elon Musk.

‘More time to adapt to AI’

In the past, Mr. Gates has expressed both excitement and concern about the rise of artificial intelligence.

Microsoft has invested billions of dollars in OpenAI, the developer of ChatGPIT, a natural-sounding chatbot.

ChatGPT has been in the news lately due to concerns that students may use it to cheat in exams.

Mr. Gates told 7.30: “Innovation is always going to surprise us.”

“AI is going to help us educate children, help us find healthcare workers, help us make healthcare more efficient,” he said.

Although AI “will affect not only blue-collar jobs, but also white-collar jobs,” he said, “this increased efficiency will give us more economic options, so there will be more time to practice.”

Because we have new technologies, he said, there can be unexpected things that crop up with “things like misinformation.”

“The downsides of modern technology, we’ve been able to manage those for the benefit of humanity,” Mr. Gates said.

“People are literate, people are three times as tall as before. This is the next wave of human innovation.”

The world must reduce emissions ‘as fast as we can’.

Mr Gates discussed climate change and other issues with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese during his visit to Australia.

Mr Gates told 7.30 Australia had a big role to play in fighting climate change.

“[Australia] “It is very fortunate that it will have the cheapest renewable energy in the world,” he said.

“Here in Australia there are many minerals including lithium, cobalt. [and] Many others of very high interest.

“Australia can export green hydrogen and other clean products … it’s definitely a country with more opportunities in the green economy than in the past.”

Also through his philanthropy through his foundation, Mr. Gates invests in breakthrough green technology. One of these investments is in the next generation of nuclear power plants called sodium reactors, which are intended to make nuclear power safer and cheaper.

Asked if he thought the Australian government should change its policy on nuclear power by linking it to the alliance – Opposition Leader Peter Dutton said nuclear power should be part of Australia’s energy mix – Mr Gates: “Australia doesn’t need it. Get busy.”

“Australia will be looking over the next 10 to 15 years to see if this next generation meets these very high targets in terms of cost, safety, waste disposal,” he said.

Earlier this month, Mr Gates said the prospect of meeting agreed global warming targets was becoming increasingly remote.

He told 7.30 to reduce emissions to zero “as fast as we can”.

“Meanwhile, when we make those cuts, which are called climate mitigation, we also have to adjust the climate,” he said.

“Unfortunately, the poor countries in the equatorial zones are the most affected. Most of those people, farmers with small land, cannot get the crop production that they have today.

“So we have to adapt as we do our best to bring our emissions to zero as quickly as possible.”

‘I Shouldn’t Have Had Dinner’ With Epstein

In the year Asked about his relationship with billionaire financier Jeffrey Epstein, who died in prison in 2019, Mr Gates said he was remorseful.

“You go back in time. But I would say to that, you know, over the 100th time, yes, I shouldn’t have had dinner with him,” Mr. Gates said.

Over the decades, Epstein has been linked to many rich and famous people, including Bill Clinton, Donald Trump and Prince Andrew.

At the time of his death, Epstein was facing charges of sex trafficking.

Following her divorce from Bill Gates, Melinda French has revealed that Gates told her husband in stern terms not to date Epstein, whom she described as an “evil man”. Since their split, the couple has continued to work together on a multi-billion dollar foundation.

Giving the money

Mr. Gates, who is worth $104.1 billion according to Forbes, pledged last year to give away a wider share of his wealth and is encouraging other wealthy people to do the same.

Australia lags behind the US in charitable giving. Mr. Gates told 7:30 why he made the decision and why he wants others to follow suit.

“Don’t give all wealth to your children,” he said. “Let’s see. Each parent has to decide the appropriate level. In my case, I can see the impact that charity work is having. It’s my full-time job.

“The dream is that over time the quantity and quality of charity will improve.”

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