bill gates - News, Features, and Slideshows

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• Bill Gates on Apple v. FBI: A balance has to be made between the needs of investigators and privacy rights

  Bill Gates thinks new laws are needed to sort out the encryption conflict going on between law enforcement and tech companies.

• Robot apocalypse unlikely, but researchers need to understand AI risks

  Recent concerns from tech luminaries about a robot apocalypse may be overblown, but artificial intelligence researchers need to start thinking about security measures as they build ever more intelligent machines, according to a group of AI experts.

• Ditch PowerPoint and engage your audience: Garr Reynolds

  Death by PowerPoint presentation has become the norm but strong images and small amounts of data are better at engaging your audience, according to communications consultant Garr Reynolds.

• Pew poll: Limited knowledge on privacy policies, more on net neutrality

  U.S. Internet users have a limited understanding of what net neutrality means and what protections are contained in company privacy policies, according to the results of a national survey by the Pew Research Center.

• Bill Gates blows away other techies with his ALS Ice Bucket Challenge video

  If you have to watch just one more ALS Ice Bucket Challenge, make it this one from Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates. He geeks out as only Bill Gates can do by drawing up and demonstrating quite the contraption.

• Microsoft's most famous couple, Bill and Melinda Gates: Stanford commencement speech transcript

  Following is the text of the address by Bill and Melinda Gates, philanthropists and co-chairs of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, as prepared for delivery at Stanford University's 123rd Commencement on June 15, 2014. Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates recently stepped aside as Microsoft chairman and is now an advisor to the CEO. See a video recap of the Stanford speech here.

• In Pictures: Bill Gates, superstar - His excellent adventures with the famous, rich and powerful

  Just because Gates has given up his role as Microsoft's Chairman doesn't mean he's slowing down…

• Gates Reddit AMA: Next-gen condoms, NSA, Bitcoin, his new role at Microsoft

  Bill Gates has hopes a better condom will reduce HIV infections, is optimistic about digital currencies' ability to help the poor, and trusts he'll be able to help Microsoft in his new role as technology adviser.

• Why Steve Ballmer left Microsoft in better shape than he found it

  New Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella certainly has his work cut out for him, but his job pales in comparison to the mess Steve Ballmer inherited in 2000. Nadella should succeed -- and if he does, he owes a lot to his oft-maligned predecessor.

• Bill Gates vows the return of Microsoft Bob

  Though roundly ridiculed when it debuted in 1995, Microsoft Bob, or something resembling the short-lived on-screen assistant, will ultimately return, vowed Bill Gates, co-founder and chairman of Microsoft.

• Schools test 'app store' for learning through Gates-funded project

  Some school administrators are testing a bold idea to integrate the multitude of systems that are used to store student data, giving teachers a single view of how students are performing and allowing them to better deliver the right learning materials.

• Bill Gates: Schools are at a 'technology tipping point'

  The growing use of handheld devices and social media among students is creating a technology tipping point for schools that could completely break down the barriers between teaching platforms within five to 10 years, Bill Gates said Thursday.

• Tech stories of 2011: Jobs, Android and Anonymous rank in top 10

  In 2011, the increasingly mobile and socially networked world of technology became more intertwined than ever with politics and the law. Patent wars shaped competition in tablets and smartphones, hacktivists attacked a widening array of political and corporate targets, repressive regimes unplugged citizens from the Internet, and the U.S. government moved to block the giant merger of AT&T and T-Mobile USA. With the passing of Steve Jobs, the world lost a technology icon who redefined the computer, entertainment and consumer electronics industries. These are the IDG News Service's picks for the top 10 technology stories of the year:

• In pictures: 8 tech superstars as comic book characters

  Ever wonder what superpowers Steve Jobs or Bill Gates would have in a comic book? Check out our slideshow of what-if tech superheroes (and supervillains). ART: Neil McAllister and Tony Talbert

• Bill Gates gives another $100M to fund polio vaccination

  Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates is increasing his foundation's commitment to the fight against polio, as the disease increasingly appears on the verge of eradication.