Gates Calls for 'Creative Capitalism'

DAVOS, Switzerland, Jan. 24 -- Bill Gates offered his vision Thursday for a new kind of capitalism that would benefit the poor as well as the rich.

Microsoft's chairman and co-founder, one of the world's wealthiest people, said business must work with governments and nonprofit groups to stem poverty and spur more technological innovation.

"We have to find a way to make the aspects of capitalism that serve wealthier people serve poorer people as well," he told corporate leaders and politicians at the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum. "I like to call this idea 'creative capitalism.' "

Gates outlined how business could expand the reach of market forces to offer the benefits of science and technology to all.

"This is how I see the world, and it should make one thing clear: I am an optimist," he said. "But I am an impatient optimist. The world is getting better, but it's not getting better fast enough, and it's not getting better for everyone."

To illustrate his push toward more social responsibility, he announced that Microsoft has teamed with Dell to sell a Red-branded PC.

The Red brand includes products sold by American Express, Apple, Motorola, and other companies that give a share of the revenue to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria. It was announced at the forum's 2006 meeting by Bono, the singer in the band U2.

Gates said Red-branded products have generated $50 million for the fund in the past year and a half.

"As a result, nearly 2 million people in Africa are receiving lifesaving drugs today," he said.

Gates plans to relinquish his daily duties at Microsoft this year to focus on philanthropy.

"As you all may know, in July I'll make a big career change. I'm not worried; I believe I'm still marketable," he said, drawing laughter. "I'm a self-starter. I'm proficient in Microsoft Office. I guess that's it. Also I'm learning how to give money away."

Gates and his wife run the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, which supports health care in poor countries and funds research on effective measures to deal with global health problems. The foundation has paid out $7.8 billion in grants for health care.