Gates speaks of software-writing revolution

HONG KONG, China (AP) -- Microsoft Corp. Chairman Bill Gates said Tuesday that the dramatic growth of the Internet would eventually help eliminate "the last constraints we have" and spark a software-writing revolution.

Gates, speaking at a forum to mark the 10th anniversary of the software giant's Asian research arm, added that technology currently being developed would transform the way people use computers, expanding their ability to interact with the machines.

Increasing Internet connectivity will greatly broaden services for users, allowing them remote access to a wide range of software and information, he said.

"People often talk about this as the Internet service revolution," Gates told a gathering of 1,600 researchers and academics in Hong Kong. "That will eventually lead to machines that have lots of server capacity, lots of low-cost computing, low-cost storage. And that will let us write software in an even more ambitious way, eliminating the last constraints we have."

The way people use computers will expand "to encompass all interactive techniques: the touch, the speech, the vision," said Gates, who stepped down in June from his full-time role at Microsoft, which he co-founded.

Gates said major developments in Internet services and computer interface, "because they're fairly developed in the labs, I can say that in 10 years will be widespread."

As for the following decade, he predicted: "You might get artificial intelligence or robotics, but those are still so undeveloped, at least in terms of widespread impact."

Gates was visiting China for the Olympic Games, attending last week's opening ceremony in Beijing, cheering on the U.S. swim team with his family and taking in other events.

The 52-year-old praised the games for being "fantastically managed."

"It really is a milestone I think, and shows the world this opportunity to all work together, and how places like Hong Kong and China will be such an important part of the future," said Gates, who planned to see some Olympic equestrian events in Hong Kong before returning to Beijing.

Gates also praised the work of his company's Asian research division and voiced confidence in the power of science and technology as a force for positive change.

"Whether it's software or energy or agriculture, the promise of science is ... much greater than ever before and that's why I'm so optimistic," he said.

Microsoft Research Asia employs more than 350 researchers and engineers, funds student fellowships and partners with more than 100 university and institutions in the region with the goal of helping Microsoft innovate and develop products.

In China, it runs joint labs with mainland and Hong Kong universities.