Just about everyone in the tech industry, from computer repair to IT support, owes a debt to Bill Gates. But if you don’t know, he created and led Microsoft for many years. He’s still active in the tech world and philanthropy today. Bill Gates’ bioterrorism warning is chilling to the bone.
Bill Gates spoke at a Munich Security Conference in Germany last week. As he took the mic, he stated bioterrorism could kill more people than nuclear war. Then he said, “The next epidemic has a good chance of originating on a computer screen.” ?They couldn’t deny this. This comes from a man who changed the computer industry. Gates stated such a mass pandemic could kill tens of millions.
Other panelist agreed. One talked about how diseases, like Bird Flu, are spreading quicker than ever before. She even compared it to the Black Death of the 1340s, which wiped out half of Europe’s population. Then, Gates criticized global governments for not doing enough to combat this threat. But he suggested ways to prevent this threat together. He urged comrade-re between governments, vaccinations, health departments and militarizes. Gates also called for stronger vaccines, antibiotics, and other drug fighting medicine.
What does this have to do with computer technology? Lots. First of all, Bill Gates’ bioterrorism warning comes from a father of computer technology. Second, Gates states this warfare can develop through a computer. They can use a computer to strengthen a pandemic. And they can use social media to encourage other terrorist to do the same. That’s scary stuff. Let’s face it: There are scary people on the Internet. Some out there will use technology to steal from you. Other criminals use technology to sexually exploit the innocent. If some will do that, then you know there are sickos who will use technology to destroy millions. So I thank Gates for calling out this evil. Furthermore, we can use technology to prevent such evil before it’s too late. What can us good guys computer technology do to fight bioterrorism?