The poster child of technology, and the world acknowledges how a man changed the way people see computers by making them affordable and in every homes.
Bill Gates needs no introduction. After co-founding Microsoft in 1975, he helped revolutionized personal computing and becoming one of the world's wealthiest individuals. In 2000, he and Melinda French Gates established the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, focusing on global health, education, and poverty alleviation.
Over 25 years, the foundation has donated over $100 billion, significantly reducing childhood mortality and combating diseases like polio and malaria.
And in this moment, Gates made his visit to Indonesia to strenghten philanthropic collaborations and engage in high-level discussions on health, innovation, education, and technological development.
His visit included meetings with President Prabowo Subianto and local philanthropists to explore collaborative efforts on global health, nutrition, financial inclusion, and public digital infrastructure.
Among other things, Bill Gates said about how AI as an emerging technology, can help in discovering new tools.
"Once we finish [eradicating] polio, we'd like to try and eradicate measles and malaria as well. We have some new tools for that. And of course, part of my optimism about the innovation is because we have now artificial intelligence."
Gates praised Indonesia's achievements in vaccine adoption and child mortality reduction, highlighting significant global progress since the Gates Foundation's inception.
The Gates Foundation has granted over $159 million to Indonesia since 2009, primarily for health initiatives, enabling state-owned Biofarma, the country's only local vaccine manufacturer, to manufacture two billion polio vaccine doses yearly.
Future plans include the distribution of a new micronutrient supplement for pregnant women and support for tuberculosis vaccine trials in Indonesia.
During his brief visit, he was welcomed by Indonesia's President, Prabowo Subianto.
Speaking at a roundtable with the president and several Indonesian philanthropists, Gates emphasized the critical role of innovation in advancing global health.
After the meeting, Gates and Prabowo visited a public elementary school in Jakarta to observe a new student nutrition program that offers free meals—an initiative championed by Prabowo himself.
During his visit, where Gates was involved in a high-profile meeting, the Microsoft co-founder and philanthropist has been offered a seat on the advisory board of Danantara Trust, the country’s recently established sovereign wealth fund, which is being set up to manage endowments and channel charitable grants.
Danantara Trust unveiled its advisory board in March, naming as members hedge fund titan Ray Dalio, economist Jeffrey Sachs, former Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, former Credit Suisse CEO Helman Sitohang and Capital Group equity portfolio manager Chapman Taylor.
“I wish Bill could sit on the board together with your friend Ray Dalio, as both of you are already on the Chinese philanthropy board,” said Indonesia's Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin during the meeting at the State Palace, referring to the China Global Philanthropy Institute (CGPI), a charity-focused initiative cofounded by Gates, Dalio and three Chinese business leaders.
This visit underscores the deepening partnership between the Gates Foundation and Indonesia, focusing on equitable access to health tools, innovation in agriculture, and inclusive economic growth.
It reflects a shared ambition to help Indonesia and the broader region achieve sustainable development goals.
The blend of local impact and global ambition underscores Gates’ broader vision: using technology and collaboration to tackle humanity’s toughest challenges.
In recognition of Gates' contributions to public welfare, Prabowo announced plans to bestow Indonesia’s highest civilian honor upon him, citing his enduring commitment to both the Indonesian people and global progress.
Gates’ visit follows a growing trend of global tech leaders turning their focus toward Southeast Asia, including Indonesia.
Before Gates, Indonesia has a number of tech leaders, including Sam Altman, who was granted the country's the first-ever golden visa.