Bill Gates remains deeply involved in Microsoft

 

Despite publicly stepping back from Microsoft in 2021, Bill Gates remains deeply involved in the company's operations, particularly in its artificial intelligence (AI) endeavors. According to insiders, Gates continues to advise on strategy, review products, and recruit high-level executives, playing a crucial role in Microsoft's AI revolution.

In 2017, Gates shared a memo with CEO Satya Nadella and top executives, predicting the rise of "AI agents" that would transform the software industry. At the time, the idea seemed far-fetched, but it now appears to have anticipated the development of Copilot, Microsoft's AI tool powered by OpenAI's GPT large language model.

Gates' involvement in Microsoft's AI efforts is not limited to Copilot. He was instrumental in the company's decision to debut a version of its search engine Bing, turbocharged by the same technology as ChatGPT, in early 2023. This move marked a significant challenge to competitors like Google.

While Nadella is the public face of Microsoft's AI success, Gates is the man behind the curtain, pulling the strings. Current and former executives reveal that Gates remains intimately involved in the company's operations, with his opinion sought on major changes.

Gates' continued influence at Microsoft is a result of his long-standing relationship with Nadella, who turned to his former boss for help when he became CEO in 2014. Nadella has publicly praised Gates, promising that the company would continue to benefit from his technical passion and advice.

However, in 2021, Nadella publicly distanced himself from Gates following allegations of misconduct, including an affair with an employee and meetings with Jeffrey Epstein. Despite this, Gates continued to play a key role in Microsoft's AI efforts, secretly advising Nadella and other executives.

The common narrative about Microsoft's partnership with OpenAI is that it was brokered by Kevin Scott, the company's chief technology officer. However, Gates was also involved in the deal, which was hammered out in 2018.

In reality, Gates' opinion is still highly valued at Microsoft, and he remains a significant player in the company's AI revolution. As one executive put it, "What you read is not what's happening in reality... Satya and the entire senior leadership team lean on Gates very significantly."