Bill Gates in the EU Parliament: Innovations against "global health crisis"

Microsoft founder Bill Gates has visited the EU Parliament, specifically the Development Committee, to talk to MEPs about global health and innovation. Gates painted a bleak picture of the global health situation – with rising child mortality and cutbacks in development aid.

Furthermore, he praised the EU as a reliable partner and pioneer in development cooperation. MEPs, on the other hand, paid homage to Gates for his philanthropism. Instead of critical questions, gratitude towards one of the most powerful private players in global health policy dominated.

In his speech, he called for increased collaboration on innovations – in areas such as vaccines, digital health and educational technologies. As a positive example, he cited Biontech, which is working with the Gates Foundation to develop vaccines against malaria, tuberculosis and HIV.

In this context, he warned that there could be additional deaths in the coming years if there is no further investment in the development of vaccines and medicines. In particular, he criticized the USA's cuts in international development aid. According to Gates, there is currently "a man-made global health crisis".

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Gates would like to see AI in education and health

He emphasized how important AI is for education, which he believes is very promising. "And given the need for better education in these countries, we should make sure that it's not just introduced in the wealthy countries, but that we make it widely available," said Gates.

As an example of AI-supported healthcare, Gates cited a voice-based digital assistance system for pregnant women. He left open which infrastructure would be necessary for this – and who would provide it. Microsoft Dragon Copilot, for example, which is used in the healthcare sector, would be conceivable. Critics have repeatedly expressed concern that this would create new digital dependencies, primarily on large corporations such as Microsoft.

Gates also spoke out in favor of the electrification of Africa – also with the help of solar energy and natural gas. AI weather forecasts and plant analysis via smartphone photos are just some of the applications that will be used. gene-edited seeds are also part of his strategy to modernize African agriculture. According to Gates, the seeds are intended to increase crop yields and improve food security. Critical questions about such interventions in local agricultural systems remained unanswered –, such as what happens if countries reject development aid as interference or due to mistrust, or feel culturally patronized.

Gates' appearance in the EU Parliament came across more like a PR event. Questions about the concentration of power, profit interests, democratic deficits or geopolitical influence were hardly asked or only indirectly answered –, such as the question about fair taxation of the rich.

The visit was part of an exchange with several parliamentary committees, including the Development Committee and the Industry and Health Committee. The Gates Foundation is regarded as one of the most important private donors in the field of global health; the WHO, for example, has been receiving earmarked donations for years. In the past, there has been criticism that his fortune is growing despite donations or that there are hidden market interests. Recently, in an interview with the New York Times, he said he wanted to donate more than 200 billion US dollars – over the next 10 to 20 years, the money is to flow into global health projects, education, climate protection and poverty reduction – mainly via his foundation.

(mack)