AI isn’t optional at Microsoft — CEO Satya Nadella just made that clear, but almost no one is using Copilot

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As a tech enthusiast, I’m seeing Microsoft really go full speed ahead with AI development these days. It feels like Satya Nadella is pushing the team to innovate incredibly fast – they’re not holding back at all!

A leaked internal memo seen by Business Insider indicates that Satya Nadella is urging top executives and teams to move more quickly and efficiently. This push appears to be aimed at centralizing control around those leading Microsoft’s AI efforts and significantly changing how the company develops and invests in its products.

Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella recently stated that the company’s long-held approach—originally envisioned by Bill Gates as a “software factory”—is becoming outdated. While this strategy contributed to Microsoft’s past success, Nadella believes it’s time to adopt new methods, especially as the company focuses on artificial intelligence. He explained that this older idea “has guided us for decades,” but “today, it’s no longer enough.”

The company appears to be expanding beyond just creating software, now prioritizing areas like artificial intelligence, data analysis, and connecting different systems as it moves into a new phase. However, leaders at Microsoft are finding it challenging to adapt to these changes.

A Microsoft leader, speaking privately to Business Insider, said that Satya Nadella is demanding faster progress and a greater sense of urgency. This is creating a difficult situation for some long-time Microsoft employees, who are now deciding whether to continue working hard to achieve Nadella’s vision for artificial intelligence or to leave the company. One employee put it this way: “You really have to consider how much longer you can keep up this pace.”

Despite reports of very low usage of Microsoft Copilot, which is worrying investors who’ve put billions into the technology, Microsoft isn’t slowing down its development plans.

Satya Nadella is reportedly speaking with leaders throughout Microsoft, asking them to commit to his plan for the company’s future or consider leaving. He’s already taken significant steps to make his vision for artificial intelligence at Microsoft a reality.

According to Microsoft leaders who spoke with Business Insider, Satya Nadella strategically appointed Judson Althoff as CEO of their commercial business.

As an observer of Microsoft, I’ve noticed Satya Nadella is completely focused on integrating AI throughout the company. I think the recent organizational changes, specifically the move involving Judson Althoff, were a smart move. It seems to be freeing up Satya’s time, allowing him to really drive the company’s progress with AI. A significant portion of his time is dedicated to meetings centered around AI education, product development, and engineering discussions.

Satya Nadella has started a weekly meeting and a Teams channel focused on speeding up Microsoft’s work with artificial intelligence. He’s using these to share his unique insights and ideas as well.

I noticed something interesting at these meetings – it wasn’t the executives doing the talking. Instead, they really focused on getting input from the newer, more technical team members. They were actively encouraged to share their ideas and perspectives on where the AI was headed.

The report also suggested potential changes at the top of Microsoft, with leaders of the Office and Windows divisions, Rajesh Jha, and the head of cybersecurity, Charlie Bell, planning to retire soon. However, Microsoft representative Frank Shaw stated that no immediate changes to the senior leadership team are anticipated.

Interestingly, a report from last year already revealed concerns within Microsoft about their approach to AI. Some employees felt the company was overly focused on the technology, and one even suggested their Copilot tool was a distraction from deeper problems. A senior executive bluntly described some of Microsoft’s AI features as superficial and unreliable.

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2025-12-18 15:40