I wasn’t really sure what to expect from Microsoft’s 50th birthday party. With cofounder Bill Gates and former CEO Steve Ballmer in attendance, I was curious to see how Microsoft would balance a celebratory atmosphere with the launch of new Copilot features. The event turned out to be quite eventful, featuring three CEOs onstage, lively hosts, and even employee protests that added unexpected drama to the day.
The day commenced with Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella reflecting on the origins of Microsoft, founded 50 years ago by Bill Gates and Paul Allen. Nadella recounted how the duo created software for the Altair 8800, an early personal computer. He also highlighted advancements in GitHub Copilot, emphasizing that “What started out as a developer tools company 50 years ago is now a platform company where everyone can be a developer.” Nadella concluded with a vision for the next 50 years, stating, “Our mission has not changed, it’s only expanded.”
Following Nadella, Microsoft AI CEO Mustafa Suleyman took the stage to discuss new Copilot features. Suleyman shared his personal journey, recalling how, at just 11 years old, he convinced his parents to buy a PC with a Pentium processor and 8MB of RAM, which allowed him to install Windows 95. “It’s no exaggeration to say that that machine completely transformed my life,” he said. However, the mood shifted when Microsoft employee Ibtihal Aboussad interrupted the presentation, protesting against Microsoft's contracts with the Israeli government. Her outcry, “Mustafa, shame on you,” highlighted serious concerns about the ethical implications of AI in warfare.
After the tense protest, Suleyman wrapped up the Copilot segment with a showcase of the new features, including hints at customizable appearances for the AI assistant. As the party began, local band Allen Stone performed, and actress Brenda Song hosted the event. She humorously referenced Clippy and Xbox, before welcoming Bill Gates, who excitedly discussed quantum computing and even recited 17 decimal digits of Pi. The lively talk show format continued with Phil Spencer, CEO of Microsoft Gaming, who jokingly admitted to playing games “20 to 25 hours” a week.
Bill Gates returned to the stage, reminiscing about Microsoft's early days and its ambitious goal of putting a computer on every desk and in every home. He proclaimed, “The new frontier is intelligence, which is even more profound than what came from the last 50 years.” This was followed by Steve Ballmer’s energetic solo interview, where he led the crowd in his famous chant of “developers, developers, developers!” and encouraged everyone to chant “50 more! 50 more! 50 more!”
The highlight of the day was when Gates, Ballmer, and Nadella appeared onstage together for the first time in over a decade. Cleo Abram, host of the YouTube series “Huge If True,” moderated a fireside chat, during which the three leaders reflected on their time at the company. Nadella shared humorous anecdotes about working with Gates and Ballmer, praising their intellectual rigor and the high standards they set for the company.
As the discussion continued, protests broke out once again, with employee Vaniya Agrawal calling the executives “hypocrites.” The atmosphere grew tense as Agrawal announced her resignation in a mass email after the event. Microsoft’s handling of these protests, especially the dismissal of Aboussad and Agrawal, raised questions about employee frustrations and the company’s response to internal dissent.
Despite the protests, the event concluded on a hopeful note. Gates remarked, “It’s an amazing and exciting time,” while Ballmer expressed optimism about Microsoft’s future relevance over the next 50 years. “That will be a testament to me, Bill, and Satya and probably three more CEOs, including Copilot,” he said, hinting at the evolving role of AI in the company.
In addition to the anniversary celebrations, Microsoft announced several new product updates. The Windows 11 Start menu is set to receive a major redesign, allowing for greater customization and the option to disable the recommended feed. This update is expected to roll out in upcoming builds, much to the delight of users who have long desired this feature.
To commemorate its 50-year milestone, Microsoft has created a limited-edition 50th anniversary Surface Laptop 7. This special laptop features the retro 1975 Microsoft logo and a golden Windows 11 wallpaper. Microsoft is giving away 50 of these unique laptops through competitions.
Looking ahead, the Xbox summer showcase is scheduled for June 8th, promising exciting announcements for gamers. Additionally, Microsoft is enhancing Copilot with features that align it with other AI platforms like ChatGPT. New functionalities include memory, personalization, and the ability to perform web-based actions.
Microsoft's 50th birthday celebration was a blend of nostalgia, innovation, and unexpected protests. As the company prepares for the next 50 years, it remains a pivotal player in the tech industry, shaping the future of software development and AI technology.
