CBC News reports that Microsoft founder Bill Gates expects an AIDS vaccine will be developed while he's around to see it. Gates said in an exclusive interview that he would be "very surprised" if a vaccine for the deadly disease isn't created during his lifetime. And no, he doesn't think he's immortal.

The Microsoft founder is a staunch advocate in the fight against AIDS, and with his wife Melinda, has started a foundation that has donated more than US$ 500 million to combating AIDS, as well as tuberculosis and malaria. An estimated 65 million people worldwide have been diagnosed with AIDS since the disease was first identified in 1981. The UN believes 2.9 million people died from the disease in 2006 alone.

Gates also urged governments to do their share in the fight against the disease. They need to give money to supplement the donations made by individuals and organizations, he said. Gates noted that Canadian and American governments are beginning to help, but that aid needs to continue, and it needs to grow.