'I don't have to work, I choose to work': Bill Gates talks work ethic, AI, and philanthropy on Nikhil Kamath’s podcast

Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates believes that self-discipline is essential for anyone striving to work hard and stay grounded. The billionaire philanthropist shared his thoughts in the latest episode of Nikhil Kamath’s podcast series, People by WTF, released on April 11.

The second part of Gates' conversation with Zerodha co-founder Nikhil Kamath covered a wide range of topics, including artificial intelligence, work culture, his visits to India, and the philosophy behind giving away wealth.

Frequent visits to India and importance of self-discipline

During the discussion, Kamath remarked on how Gates always appears to be in a hurry during his trips to India, often engaging with political leaders and key stakeholders. When asked if he was hard on himself, Gates responded, "It is a lot of fun. No, I think if you want to work hard and not fool yourself, you better be pretty hard on yourself."

Gates has visited India multiple times, with his most recent trip taking place in March this year. During these visits, he has met with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Ministers JP Nadda, Hardeep Singh Puri, and Jitendra Singh, among others, to discuss public health, development, and innovation.

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AI, early retirement, and rethinking work

Kamath also asked Gates whether having a large population is a strength or a challenge when viewed through a capitalistic lens. In response, Gates pointed to the transformative impact of artificial intelligence over the next two decades.

"You know, you can retire early, you can work shorter work weeks. It's gonna require almost a philosophical rethink about, okay, how should time be spent?" Gates said.

When asked what people might do if they no longer had to work, Gates reflected on his own situation.
"I don't have to work. I choose to work," he said, adding that while the idea of retiring at 40 may not seem extreme in the future, the notion of never working at all is still difficult for him to grasp.

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On equality, hierarchies, and philanthropy

The conversation also explored how society might change in the future. Kamath said that as traditional jobs change, new types of social structures or hierarchies could develop. Gates added that the idea of complete equality—like in pure communism—doesn’t feel natural for how humans behave.

Kamath then asked how Gates manages both making money and giving it away through charity. Gates, who runs the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, said that while it may seem strange to do both, earning and donating money can go hand in hand if done with the right mindset.

The People by WTF podcast was launched by Kamath last year. Bill Gates was the first guest. In that first episode, Gates talked about how much he values his relationship with India and the people he works with there