Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella recently outlined the company's future strategic direction, aiming to go beyond traditional software and turn Microsoft into an "intelligent engine" serving 8 billion people worldwide. Nadella emphasized that empowerment in the age of artificial intelligence is no longer just about building tools for specific roles or tasks, but providing a platform that allows everyone to create their own tools.
Nadella believes that Bill Gates' original vision of a "software factory" is outdated. Instead, Microsoft is committed to empowering individuals and organizations to use artificial intelligence to create digital tools on their own. Nadella painted a vision: "Imagine if all 8 billion people could summon a researcher, an analyst, or a programmer at any time, not only to access information but also to use their expertise to complete work that benefits them."
To achieve this ambitious goal, Microsoft is completely revolutionizing its technology stack, from core infrastructure to AI products, building "platform primitives" required for AI applications, which developers and companies can use as the foundation for their own tools and services. Nadella said, "Building products and platforms suitable for the wave of artificial intelligence is our north star."
Transformation Brings Pains: Layoffs of 15,000 Despite Strong Performance
Despite strong performance, Microsoft laid off approximately 15,000 employees this year, accounting for about 4% of its global workforce, with multiple departments affected, especially the gaming department. Nadella viewed this layoff as part of a larger transformation in the tech industry, indicating that the old concept of "guaranteed franchise value" is no longer applicable. For a company like Microsoft, which defined the concept of software franchise through Windows and Office, this marks a complete break from the past.