HAIKOU, February 13. /TASS/. Microsoft founder and chairman of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Bill Gates, recently traveled to China, where he first visited the southern province of Hainan. According to the publication Diyi Caijing, he discussed cooperation in agriculture, healthcare, and technologies related to artificial intelligence while in the country.
Gates also visited Shanghai, where he reviewed China’s achievements in agricultural technologies, infectious disease prevention, and maternal and child healthcare. In an interview with the outlet, he noted China’s significant progress in modernization and scientific research.
“I have always held China’s innovative potential in high regard. The pace of development, for example in the creation of new medicines, has even exceeded my expectations,” he said. According to Gates, he was particularly impressed by research results in hybrid rice and other agricultural technologies. He emphasized that the Gates Foundation and China share a common vision — scientific advancements should benefit the most vulnerable populations, particularly in developing countries, including nations in Africa.
Gates also expressed confidence in the key role of artificial intelligence in accelerating scientific research, especially in biology and medicine. He noted that the foundation is funding projects to develop an “AI tutor” capable of tailoring instruction to individual learning needs.
The foundation is also placing special emphasis on the application of AI in healthcare. In particular, projects are underway to collect data in African languages, which would enable residents of remote regions to receive medical guidance via mobile devices, the publication reported.
Gates further highlighted the high level of research in Shanghai, including developments in biotechnology and artificial intelligence, and underscored that the foundation’s objective is to ensure access to advanced technologies for developing countries, even if their deployment in developed economies yields higher commercial returns.
This marks Gates’ first visit to China since June 2023. Over the past 30 years, he has visited the country more than 20 times.