Bill Gates Recommends 'Must-Read' Book By Sal Khan: All You Need To Know About Khan Academy CEO

Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates recently recommended a book that¡¯s a ¡®must read¡¯ for everyone. The book is on artificial intelligence and focuses on how the tech advancements can improve the quality of education in the world.

The Microsoft co-founder praised ¡°Brave New Words: How AI Will Revolutionize Education (And Why That¡¯s a Good Thing¡±. For the unversed, the book is written by Sal Khan, founder and CEO of education nonprofit Khan Academy.

Gates took to X and wrote,

¡°If you¡¯re passionate about education, you need to read this book. Sal offers a compelling vision for harnessing AI to expand opportunity for all.¡±

Also Read: Bill Gates Shares Glimpses From His India Diaries, Says 'Can¡¯t Wait To Go Back Again'

Who Is Sal Khan?

If your curiosity piqued after reading Gates¡¯ tweet, then you are not alone. Here¡¯s a little glimpse into the world of author Sal of Khan Academy.

American educator Salman Amin Khan, also known as Sal Khan, is one of the most revered names in the education sector, courtesy his non-profit educational platform Khan Academy.

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Based in Silicon Valley, California, Khan is the founder of Khan Lab School, an independent educational institution located in Mountain View, California. Khan primarily teaches various subjects, with a particular emphasis on Mathematics and Science. Additionally, his YouTube platform, Khan Academy, boasts more than eight million subscribers.

Sal Khan¡¯s Early Days

Sal Khan, born to Muslim Bengali parents, holds American citizenship and has familial ties to Pakistan, as his grandfather served as a speaker in the National Assembly. He earned a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and went on to pursue a Master's degree at Harvard Business School. In 2004, he married Umaima Marvi, a Pakistani physician, and they have three children together.

Sal Khan¡¯s Career And Tutoring Journey

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Following his internship at PARC in 2002, Sal Khan transitioned to a role as a hedge fund analyst at Connective Capital Management, where he worked from 2003 to 2009. It was after this experience that he went on to establish Khan Academy.

In 2004, Sal Khan embarked on his tutoring venture by assisting his cousin, Nadia, with mathematics, utilizing the Internet and a tool called Yahoo! Doodle Images. His tutoring sessions expanded to other extended family members, driven by a growing demand for his expertise. To accommodate this demand, he began sharing his instructional doodles on YouTube. The overwhelming positive response to his videos prompted him to leave his job, dedicate himself to producing educational tutorials, and ultimately establish Khan Academy. What began as a YouTube channel in 2008 has since evolved into an official website, offering additional practice exercises and resources for educators.

Also Read: Meet Jennifer Gates, Daughter Of Bill Gates, Who Was Not Allowed To Use A Smartphone Until She Was 14 Years Old

Khan Academy Gets Donations From The Likes Of Bill Gates, Elon Musk and Other Billionaires/Philanthropists

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Khan Academy operates as a non-profit organization primarily sustained by donations. Generous contributions from prominent figures such as Carlos Slim, Bill Gates, Elon Musk, and others have significantly supported the organization.

In 2010, Google contributed $2 million (about Rs 16.65 crore) to Khan Academy, earmarked for the development of new courses and content translation into multiple languages. Furthermore, in 2015, AT&T donated $2.25 million (about Rs 18.73 crore) to support Khan Academy's initiatives. According to IRS Form 990, Khan Academy reported a revenue of $28 million (approximately Rs 233 crore) in 2019.

Sal Khan's Net Worth

According to several reports, Khan's net worth stands at $380 million( Rs 3,164 crores approx) in 2024.