Microsoft’s Bill Gates to visit campus Oct. 12

Microsoft chairman and chief software architect Bill Gates will speak to approximately 200 UW–Madison students on Wednesday, Oct. 12, on the topic of “The Impact and Opportunity of Technology: Why Computer Science? Why Now?”

Tickets are being distributed to students taking introductory computer science classes and students in the biological sciences.

The talk, which will include a question-and-answer session, is scheduled for 4-5:15 p.m. It will be simulcast at Union South, 227 N. Randall Ave. (Check “Today in the Union” for the exact location.)

If you are on the campus computer network, you will be able to view a live webcast. The webcast will not be available to those outside the university network until Friday, Oct. 14.

Gates will talk with the students about innovation and breakthrough technologies, new opportunities for technology to improve personal lives, and the ways in which people work and collaborate. He will show off some cutting-edge technology and discuss why careers in computer science are exciting, rewarding and vitally important.

“I’m looking forward to visiting the University of Wisconsin–Madison,” Gates says. “The opportunities for computing to change the world have never been greater, and the ideas and excitement of today’s computer science students are driving the future of innovation in our industry.”

In addition to his Madison stop, Gates is visiting five other universities on his tour, including Michigan, Princeton, Columbia, Howard and Waterloo (Ontario).

Cameras and recording devices will not be allowed in the lecture hall.