What's next for Bill Gates?

Where would we be without Bill Gates? It's good to remember that he began experimenting with computers at the ripe young age of 17 in his family's basement. From there, he went on to develop much of today's modern computer world, creating the very technology that every CIO uses. Gates is stepping down from his leadership role at Microsoft but don't count him out. Others just like him--change agents of the 20th and 21st century--went on to other, interesting, cutting-edge roles. Some are still finding their way and testing new waters.

There's billionaire Warren Buffett, of course, who collaborated with Gates on philanthropy. There's J.K. Rowling, who kept the world of imagination alive with seven Harry Potter books. Who knows where she is going next? And who knows where Gates will be heading In his last speech at Consumer Electronics Show this week in Las Vegas, Gates showed only a little bit of hesitancy when he noted that this is the first time since he was 17 that he won't have a full-time job at Microsoft. And in a hilarious, star-studded video clip he asked, "What do you do on your last day?" (Click here to watch the video clip)

Gates is shifting to part-time work at Microsoft later this year. But there is plenty of high-end technology work being developed at Microsoft even as he is phasing out. At CES, Gates showed a "mobile navigator" that can be used to point at a person or place to capture information. And Microsoft has been making progress in IPTV--digital television delivered over Internet Protocol. We look forward to the next generation of products coming from Microsoft and plenty of new ideas springing from Bill Gates. -Judi