Bill Gates: The next American Idol?

Bill and Melinda Gates sit for an interview with 'American Idol' host Ryan Seacrest that will air as part of the 'Idol Gives Back' show on Wednesday.

(Credit: Courtesy of Bill Gates)

Bill Gates is going on "American Idol."

No, the Microsoft chairman and philanthropist won't be singing on the show. Rather, he and wife Melinda will talk about the importance of giving and the impact it can have.

It's part of the "Idol Gives Back" program, in which the singing competition show raises money for various charitable organizations. The episode airs Wednesday evening on Fox. Two of the beneficiaries--Malaria No More and the United Nations Foundation--are organizations that work closely with the Gates Foundation.

Gates noted recently on Twitter that he had met with Seacrest and the Idol host was also among the people Gates followed when he joined Twitter.

The appearance, which was taped two weeks ago, will air just as Gates is wrapping up a three-city college tour aimed at convincing more young people to devote their energy to the world's big problems. Beyond Binary will be tagging along with Gates for the California and Boston legs and providing extensive coverage of both his speeches and the behind-the-scenes action.