Microsoft’s CTO and EVP on the Need for AI Speed
Gen AI has evolved so drastically across the world that now it is fundamentally changing how people interact with technology
Whether revolutionising shopping and education or tackling climate science, AI’s impact is broad and deep.
In the eyes of Microsoft, one of AI’s most profound impacts is on the very people who build these experiences: the developers themselves.
As AI redefines what software looks like and how it’s built, the need for new tools, platforms and ways of thinking becomes increasingly urgent.
In light of this, Microsoft CTO Kevin Scott and EVP Jay Parikh emphasise that, with decades of investment in platforms, developer tools and infrastructure behind it, Microsoft is uniquely positioned to lead this transformation.
How Microsoft is driving the AI platform revolution
To more rapidly and boldly advance its roadmap, Microsoft has established a new engineering organisation called CoreAI – Platform and Tools.
The organisation is also led by Jay Parikh.
“By putting this all together in this vertically integrated approach, now the mission is very simple — it’s to empower every developer to shape the future with AI,” he says.
With CoreAI being Microsoft's response to AI’s everchanging tides, its mission remains clear: to empower every developer to shape the future with AI.
Kevin says this may be the “most important tech platform shift that’s happened in our lifetime”.
With this in mind, the duo share their five key takeaways, so organisations and individuals can thrive in this era of relentless change.
- Speed and iteration are key
- Learn, adapt and stay agile
- Simplicity as a core principle
- Build connective tissue across teams
- Measure outcomes for continued growth
Kevin and Jay’s AI takeaways
1. Speed and iteration are key
In technology, speed isn’t just about moving fast — it’s about learning fast.
Jay encourages teams to challenge assumptions, remove obstacles and embrace a culture of rapid iteration.
In an environment where yesterday’s innovations quickly become today’s table stakes, the ability to swiftly experiment, adapt and improve is the ultimate competitive advantage.
2. Learn, adapt and stay agile
The future is uncertain, but successful teams are those that remain nimble.
Jay says: “Teams that stay on their toes will have the most success.
“While you can’t foresee the future, you can prepare for multiple outcomes and quickly adjust, fix and move forward in the case of a setback.”
Whether it’s rearchitecting systems or shifting responsibilities, the willingness to absorb lessons, pivot strategies and continuously evolve is essential, according to Jay.
In the age of AI, adaptability isn’t just a skill, but is a survival trait.
3. Simplicity as a core principle
As organisations grow, complexity can become their greatest enemy, both Kevin and Jay believe.
Simplicity — when it comes to both in operations and design — is essential here, as, by stripping away unnecessary layers and focusing on clear, scalable solutions, companies can avoid the innovation-stifling traps of bureaucracy and maintain their creative edge.
“Complexity is the enemy of scale,” Jay says. “Simplicity is a core part of how we’re going to drive the operations of this team.”
4. Build connective tissue across teams
This takeaway focuses on the fact that innovation doesn’t happen in isolation.
Jay says that breaking down silos and fostering cross-disciplinary collaboration is critical for accelerating progress.
“As we’re building out the platform, infrastructure and tools, wherever it makes sense to collaborate and combine forces, we’ll do so,” he adds.
By bringing together diverse expertise and perspectives, organisations can tackle bigger challenges and seize new opportunities.
5. Measure outcomes for continued growth
Finally, as AI continues to develop at speed, Kevin emphasises that it’s vital to measure not just activity, but outcomes.
“When you’re going fast, it’s really important to remember the build, the ship and the measure,” he says.
“We will be deliberate about measuring outcomes and making sure that we’re measuring the right things so that we’re learning just as fast as we’re building.”
Jay adds: “What problem are you trying to solve and how are you measuring whether or not you’re being useful in solving that problem?”
A call to imagination
Perhaps the most inspiring message from Kevin and Jay is a call to imagination.
“Things that lots of people wanted for a very long time and that always seemed borderline science fictional and impossible are becoming possible right now,” Kevin says.
“We really need you to bring the fullness of your imagination, the most ambitious things you can conceive of.
“We need to do it for everybody in the world and only then are we going to see the real magic of what AI can do is solving some of these vexing problems that we have.”
Kevin and Jay’s five lessons — speed, agility, simplicity, collaboration and outcome measurement — shows that AI’s future is in the hands of those bold enough to dream big and disciplined enough to build wisely.
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