Bill Gates and Warren Buffett on Global Challenges and Education

Bill Gates identifies the poorest 2 billion people in the world as the greatest global challenge. He emphasizes that these populations have not shared in innovation and riches, and advocates for providing them with vaccines and better agricultural seeds to help them become self-sufficient and stabilize their economies.

Warren Buffett praises Bill Gates' full-time commitment to solving global poverty issues. He highlights Gates' back-breaking schedule and success in enlisting government aid for philanthropic endeavors. The interviewer notes that Buffett has donated all his charity money to Gates' foundation.

Bill Gates addresses the challenge of college affordability, recommending a book called 'Why College Costs So Much.' He notes that state schools remain reasonably priced and can provide great four-year degrees, while private college tuition has become prohibitively expensive. He emphasizes the importance of making education affordable given the high wage differentials for degree holders.

Bill Gates discusses how technology promises to raise educational effectiveness, particularly through new online approaches to university education. His foundation is actively experimenting with these innovations. Warren Buffett weighs in that education needs 'smarter money' rather than just more funding, emphasizing the need to get better returns on educational spending.