Bill Gates shares what he thinks will stay virtual after the current health crisis

Microsoft logo
Microsoft logo (Image credit: Windows Central)

What you need to know

  • Bill Gates discussed the current health crisis in an interview on LinkedIn.
  • Gates discusses several topics, including what will remain virtual after the crisis.
  • He also talks about how he's helping people during the crisis.

Bill Gates recently discussed the current health crisis in an interview on LinkedIn. The video was broadcasted live and is about 22 minutes long. You can now watch the entire video on demand. Gates discussed the role of government in the current health crisis, how the pandemic affected the economy, and several other topics related to the unique challenges we currently face. At one point, he also shared his thoughts on if people will stay virtual after the lockdown ends.

With many countries and regions implementing travel restrictions and guidance to stay indoors, businesses and educators have had to move online. Services such as Microsoft Teams, Zoom, and Google Meet have seen massive spikes in usage as people figure out how to be productive without face-to-face interaction. The forced move to a virtual workspace could have longlasting effects on people's workflow, according to Gates. He believes some things will be replaced, at least in part, with virtual interaction. He said in the interview:

There are a few things like business trips that I doubt will ever go back. I mean, there will still be business trips, but you know, less.

He also shared that while he believes some things will remain virtual, others will go back to normal,

In the case of high school, I think social activity, you know, making friends, hanging out, that you get by being there physically, that's totally irreplaceable. And so even though on a pure learning basis, if you have an internet connection and a device and you have a teacher who is really good at presenting the material and it's not a lab-based cost, yes, it's impressive how people are rising to the occasion and for a subset of students making that work. But I do think, certainly for K-12, we want to go back to having those kids together, you know, learning how to socialize, spending time with their friends.

The interview has several insights from a person in a unique situation during the current health crisis. Gates is working with several people to put an end to the pandemic, including his efforts to fund seven vaccines currently being tested.

Do you think people's workflows will change once things return to normal? Let us know in the comments below.

CATEGORIES
Sean Endicott
News Writer and apps editor

Sean Endicott is a tech journalist at Windows Central, specializing in Windows, Microsoft software, AI, and PCs. He's covered major launches, from Windows 10 and 11 to the rise of AI tools like ChatGPT. Sean's journey began with the Lumia 740, leading to strong ties with app developers. Outside writing, he coaches American football, utilizing Microsoft services to manage his team. He studied broadcast journalism at Nottingham Trent University and is active on X @SeanEndicott_ and Threads @sean_endicott_. 

Latest in Microsoft
Cloud servers
Microsoft has killed "several" data center projects in the U.S. and Europe, according to reports — Microsoft responds (Updated)
Steve Ballmer and Bill Gates, former CEOs of Microsoft.
Bill Gates says Satya Nadella almost missed the cut for CEO of Microsoft — Even with Steve Ballmer's support
HP Reverb G2 VR headset
Was Windows Mixed Reality as bad as I remember? I look back at the failed VR platform that was ahead of its time.
Microsoft Majorana 1 chip designed for quantum computing
Microsoft dismisses quantum computing skepticism: "There is a century-old scientific process established by the American Physical Society for resolving disputes"
The Microsoft logo on a smartphone and laptop arranged in Crockett, California, US, on Friday, Dec. 29, 2023.
"Would you say there is a reasonable balance between what you contribute to Microsoft and what you get in return?" Two-thirds of Microsoft employees say YES — as AI engineers get preferential compensation packages.
Like a Dragon Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii screenshot
Microsoft blocks (some) Windows 11 pirates while Lenovo steals the show at Mobile World Congress
Latest in News
Cloud servers
Microsoft has killed "several" data center projects in the U.S. and Europe, according to reports — Microsoft responds (Updated)
Photo of Microsoft's new sign-in page for Xbox.com using the Microsoft Edge browser.
Over one billion users will get a new Microsoft user experience, and it has a dark mode
The Thing: Remastered key art
The Thing comes to Xbox Cloud Gaming's "Stream Your Own Game" library alongside other new arrivals
Promotional screenshot of heroes fighting a giant in Pillars of Eternity
Obsidian's classic Baldur's Gate successor 'Pillars of Eternity' is getting a surprise turn-based mode later this year, alongside other updates
Atomfall
Atomfall reviews and Metacritic scores are in: Here's a roundup of what everyone's saying about this new Game Pass survival game
Screenshot of one of the new flat world presets in Minecraft.
Minecraft testing new flat world presets and a better way to locate your friends in-game