As part of Microsoft's 50th-anniversary celebrations, a unique and symbolic event took place: the company’s three CEOs; Bill Gates, Steve Ballmer, and Satya Nadella,came together for an interview conducted by Microsoft's AI-powered assistant, Copilot. This innovative session not only celebrated Microsoft’s legacy but its forward-looking embrace of artificial intelligence.
Bill Gates, Microsoft's co-founder and first CEO, reflected on the company’s early days, from its founding in 1975 to its innovations like MS-DOS and Windows.
Steve Ballmer, who succeeded Gates in 2000, shared insights on navigating the company through the rise of enterprise software and consumer products like Xbox.
Satya Nadella, the current CEO, discussed Microsoft's transformation into a cloud and AI powerhouse under his leadership.
Copilot served as the interviewer, symbolizing Microsoft’s commitment to integrating AI into everyday life. The AI assistant guided discussions on milestones like the launch of Windows 95, Azure’s dominance in cloud computing, and the recent advancements in AI tools.
The CEOs collectively emphasised the importance of innovation in AI and sustainability as Microsoft’s core focus areas for the future. Nadella highlighted how Microsoft aims to continue empowering users and businesses globally through cutting-edge technologies.
This gathering of three generations of leadership underscored Microsoft’s evolution over five decades, from a scrappy startup in Albuquerque to a $3 trillion global tech giant. The use of Copilot as an interviewer reflected the company’s belief in AI as a transformative force for the next era of technology.
