Gates answered several questions in an “Ask Me Anything” question-and-answer session on Reddit. Quartz, a U.S.-based online website specializing in business-related news, reported three interesting questions and answers.

Gates mentioned Facebook’s founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg as an example of how entrepreneurs should go about balancing business and philanthropy.

Gates responded, “Ideally people can start to mix in some philanthropy like Mark Zuckerberg has early in his career.” And he added, “I have enjoyed talking to some of the Valley entrepreneurs about this and I am impressed (by) how early they are thinking about giving back -- much earlier than I did.”

Zuckerberg was the single largest donor in the United States last year at the age of 29, giving nearly a billion dollars.

When asked what he would focus on if he were currently a computer science student, Gates mentioned machine learning. He said, “The ultimate is computers that learn.” He mentioned that Microsoft’s researchers are studying machine learning.

Looking back on his early days, Gates said, “Twenty years ago I would stay in the office for days at a time and not think twice about it -- so I had energy and naivete on my side.” The 58-year-old Gates added, “Now hopefully I am a bit more mellow but with a little extra wisdom.”

By Lee Shin-young, Intern reporter (sylee@heraldcorp.com)