Bill Gates claims tech 'will transform workplace'

Innovations in communications and computing systems will see the way we work continue to undergo transformation in the next few years, according to outgoing Microsoft chairman Bill Gates.

Speaking at his final keynote address at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, Mr Gates highlighted the changes which had occurred in business IT over just the last few years, such as IP telephony or the spread of broadband.

"Since I first started talking about the Digital Decade in 2001, the speed with which digital technology has become central to the way we work, learn and play has been amazing," he said.

"But in many ways, we are at the very beginning of the transformation. During the next Digital Decade, technology will make our lives richer, more connected, more productive and more fulfilling in profound and exciting ways."

Looking to the future, Mr Gates suggested that there will also be changes in the way employees interact with data, with more 'cloud computing' solutions making use of the added flexibility offered by the web.