Bill Gates: Giving Away Billions, Investing in Global Health and AI

Bill Gates BioSnap a weekly updated Biography.

In the past several days Bill Gates has been in the global spotlight, largely driven by his high-profile visit to South Korea, where he underscored the nations emerging role in global health. In a significant interview with JoongAng Ilbo released today, Gates praised Korea for more than doubling its global health and development funding since 2018, contrasting this with what he called deadly cuts by other donor countries. This financial commitment, according to Gates, will save and transform lives worldwide. He met with key figures including President Lee Jae Myung and top leaders from Samsung, SK Group, and Hyundai, discussing technology, health, and philanthropy. The Gates Foundation is preparing to open a new office in Seoul, signaling a deepening engagement in the region; Gates described this as pivotal in his ambitious plan to give away virtually all his wealth—recently confirming the $200 billion pledge over the next 25 years to fight poverty, infectious diseases, and maternal mortality.

Gates made waves on social media after recording a segment for the Korean talk show You Quiz on the Block, a move that instantly reignited vaccine conspiracy theories online. After the programs staff posted behind-the-scenes photos, critics flooded comments with anti-vaccine rhetoric, revisiting persistent and debunked accusations against Gates from the COVID era. Meanwhile, supporters and other social voices defended Gates and the shows host, calling the criticism excessive and labeling conspiracy talk as baseless misinformation. The episode is expected to air August 27, fueling further interest.

Among industry insiders and his own fans, Gates also drew attention by revealing the phone he uses—a Samsung Galaxy foldable model, gifted by Samsung Chairman Jay Y. Lee. He acknowledged this during his Korean interview, reiterating his public affection for Samsung devices. He was previously seen with earlier versions, making this a subtle nod to Korea’s tech relevancy. On the AI front, Gates continues to be personally invested, noting that his favorite tools are those democratizing access for knowledge-seekers everywhere. He mentioned habitually fact-checking ChatGPTs replies with expert friends, and remains bullish on AI’s capacity to change lives, especially for previously underserved populations.

Gates has also spearheaded fresh business activity this week with Gates Ventures, launching a $1 million competition called the Alzheimer’s Disease Data Initiative to accelerate breakthroughs in dementia using agentic AI. The project encourages global researchers to share and analyze data across platforms, directly aligning with his long-standing emphasis on collaborative science and open access, as promoted by the Gates Foundation’s ongoing policy updates.

Highly speculative rumors claimed Gates was planning a $333 million bid to purchase the social media platform X, but these were quickly debunked as false by a Gates Foundation spokesperson and agencies like Check Your Fact. In actual business news, Burkina Faso suspended a genetically modified mosquito project backed by Gates, drawing regional attention, as briefly highlighted on amplifyafrica's Instagram feed.

Throughout, Gates' social media footprint remains focused on philanthropy, with posts reiterating his commitment to donate 99 percent of his personal wealth and championing a mindset of long-term effort and incremental progress. As September approaches, Gates will feature in a documentary series exploring future technologies and global challenges, further cementing his position as a public intellectual and giving an unmissable glimpse into his vision for the decades ahead.

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This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI