Bill Gates's 1999 tech predictions: Spot on two decades later
Bill Gates, the founder of Microsoft, is an icon of the technology industry and a true visionary. His predictions from 20 years ago are now beginning to come true.
14 October 2024 17:26
Bill Gates is renowned not only as the founder of Microsoft but also as one of the greatest innovators and visionaries of our time. For years, he has inspired many with his ability to predict the future of technology and its impact on our lives.
Gates's visions from 1999
In 1999, Bill Gates published a book titled "Business @ the Speed of Thought," in which he shared his predictions about technology. These visions, which might have seemed futuristic then, have proven surprisingly accurate, confirming Gates's intuition as a technological prophet.
One of Gates's predictions was the creation of price comparison systems that allow people to browse prices on different websites.
Gates also anticipated that everyone would have access to mobile phones. This forecast has fully materialized, and today's smartphones offer features we could only dream of 20 years ago. Beyond calling and messaging, they enable internet browsing, making payments, and managing daily affairs.
People will carry around small devices that allow them to constantly stay in touch and do electronic business from wherever they are. They will be able to check the news, see flights they have booked, get information from financial markets, and do just about anything else on these devices, wrote the former Microsoft CEO.
Online payments and social media - how have they changed our lives?
Bill Gates also predicted the vast development of online payments. We can transfer money and make transactions in seconds thanks to solutions such as PayPal, Google Pay, and Apple Pay. When Gates predicted this, it seemed unimaginable.
Long before others, Gates foresaw the rising popularity of social media. Today, platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter have become integral parts of our lives, enabling us to communicate with family and friends regardless of location.
Gates also predicted the rise in popularity of remote working. Tools like Zoom, Slack, and Microsoft Teams enable millions of employees to work efficiently from home, a trend accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Key predictions about the internet
Predictions about the Internet of Things have also come true. Gates spoke about smart homes long before the advent of smart home technology, and today's systems like Google Home and Amazon Alexa are just some examples of devices that integrate our daily lives with technology.
Predictions about personalised ads have also proven accurate. Thanks to advanced algorithms, companies like Google and Facebook can deliver advertisements tailored to our interests and online behaviour.
Bill Gates predicts that climate innovations and sustainable development will be the greatest priorities in the future. His foundation is already investing in technologies to combat climate change.
The continued influence of Gates on new technologies
The billionaire does not intend to rest on his laurels and continues to influence new technology development actively. His foundations and investments still support projects to improve our quality of life.
In summary, Bill Gates's predictions from 20 years ago have been remarkably accurate. His visions have not only influenced the development of technology but have also inspired subsequent generations of innovators.
