Bill Gates says if he founded Microsoft today, he would focus on this industry instead

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

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

“Today, someone could raise billions of dollars for a new AI company [that’s just] a few sketch ideas,” Gates told CNBC, reflecting the enthusiasm for AI. According to CNBC, citing data from PitchBook, startups in the space have attracted over $26 billion in investments so far this year.

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If the Microsoft co-founder takes the risk, Gates said his AI company would aim to compete with technology giants like 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 choose something unique,” Gates told CNBC.

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

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“I was lucky that my belief in software made me unique,” Gates said. “Just believing in AI is not unique. So I had to develop a unique view of how to design AI systems – something other people didn't have.”

The billionaire said that entering the AI ​​space at this stage comes with its own challenges. With foundational technologies already being developed by well-funded companies, new entrants may struggle to gain traction. Gates urged entrepreneurs to focus on how AI could meet specific business needs or improve daily life – whether by automating expensive tasks or generating strategic insights through broader applications.

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At 68, Gates' priorities have shifted. While he once measured success by the growth of Microsoft, he is now more focused on providing 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 encourages younger minds at Microsoft, OpenAI and other technology companies to push the boundaries of AI, telling them: “You have a fresher perspective on this than I do, and this is your fantastic opportunity.”

Just as his early belief in the personal computer was prophetic, Gates' focus on artificial intelligence could once again prove to be a harbinger of the technological future.

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