Both Bill Gates and will.i.am are widely known for their work promoting innovation in technology, and provided wonderful insight into what the future might look like. And on Wednedsay night, the met at The Science Museum in London to discuss it. You can watch the superstars of PC’s and pop talk, in full, above.
For fans of "Black Mirror," the conversation around artificial intelligence proves fascinating. It may even tempt you back into optimism. Both agreed that it was the “next big thing”, and commented on the culture of science in society. For both, the future of humanity is made brighter by technological innovation.
Me and https://t.co/uYOVahmYg7@BillGates are about to start our talk at the science museum in the UK...@BillGates is a true hero pic.twitter.com/DhsMqMplxZ
— will.i.am.VOTING (@iamwill) October 26, 2016
Both highlighted the importance of the upcoming US presidential election, too. For will.i.am, it’s one of the most important elections in history. Despite urges from will.i.am, Gates refused to be drawn on ever standing for election. To approval from the audience, will.i.am asked: “Why not Elon Musk for president? Why not Bill Gates?”
Recently, the UK Prime Minister Theresa May stated in a keynote speech that, “If you believe you’re a citizen of the world, you’re a citizen of nowhere.” In response to this, Gates and will.i.am were asked if they would describe themselves as global citizens. Here’s what they had to say:
"The only colour I see is this beautiful green and blue planet. From that perspective, I'm a #GlobalCitizen." - @iamwill#SMlates 🌍 🙆 pic.twitter.com/URWKq2xxm4
— Global Citizen UK (@GlblCtznUK) October 26, 2016
"I'm a #GlobalCitizen because Melinda and I didn't found @gatesfoundation with nationalistic priorities in mind." - @BillGates#SMlates 🙌 pic.twitter.com/7cbu52IZf3
— Global Citizen UK (@GlblCtznUK) October 26, 2016
Both praised Britain’s record on diversity and tolerance in their answer, and insisted that we all have a responsibility to look out for those less fortunate, wherever they live.
“You can be a human part of the human race,” Gates said.
The talk kicked off the Lates event at The Science Museum, where Global Citizen talked to visitors throughout the course of the evening about the fight to eradicate polio. At no point did we break out in Black Eyed Peas singalongs during their silent disco.
Disclosure: Bill Gates is the co-founder of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, a funding partner of Global Citizen.
Editor's note: This piece has been updated to include a disclosure that the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation is a funding partner of Global Citizen. We regret the oversight.