Microsoft is refocusing its development efforts and iterating faster than before. At the company’s 50th Anniversary Event, I learned more about what’s driving the change.
I’ve been watching Microsoft for much of its 50-year history, and I’m noticing a distinct shift in the tech giant’s focus and update strategy for core products. And now, as I attend Microsoft’s 50th Anniversary Event in Redmond, WA, this change is even more evident.
Historically, Microsoft has released a major new Windows version every two or three years, such as Windows 95, Windows 98, and Windows XP (with some less-important versions in between), and an updated version of Office every three years or so, such as Office 2007, Office 2010, Office 2013, and so on.
But that’s all changing with the arrival of AI, and Copilot, in particular. Now, Microsoft is readjusting its efforts and moving much faster with updates. In other words, it’s functioning like a start-up.
Let me first acknowledge the obvious way that Microsoft is not like a start-up: It’s got a nearly three-trillion-dollar market capitalization. However, I believe that it’s exhibiting the two major characteristics of start-ups that have nothing to do with funding—a focus on a single technology and rapid iteration. It’s All About Copilot
If you follow Microsoft at all, you know that Copilot is now its main focus.
