The tech giant’s 50th birthday celebration was a wild ride, blending retro charm with major product reveals and unexpected demonstrations, all under the watchful eyes of legendary leaders Bill Gates, Steve Ballmer, and Satya Nadella.
The Celebration Begins: Looking Back and Moving Forward
The day kicked off with a reflective Satya Nadella, Microsoft’s current CEO, recalling the company’s humble beginnings. Nadella reminisced about how Bill Gates and Paul Allen co-founded Microsoft 50 years ago, developing software for the Altair 8800, one of the first personal computers. He spoke about how the company’s mission had expanded beyond its origins as a developer tools provider, now positioning itself as a platform company where “everyone can be a developer.”
“We’re still focused on the same mission, it’s expanded.” Nadella said. “What started as a developer tools company 50 years ago is now a platform company where everyone can be a developer.”
Copilot Features Take Center Stage
The event further shifted to Mustafa Suleyman, Microsoft AI CEO, who walked through new Copilot features. He shared his personal story of how owning a PC at 11 years old, with a Pentium processor and Windows 95, transformed his life. However, things took an unexpected turn during his demonstration when Microsoft employee Ibtihal Aboussad stormed the stage, shouting, “Mustafa, shame on you!” Aboussad accused Microsoft of being complicit in war profiteering, specifically calling out the company’s contracts with the Israeli government.
Aboussad’s protest, which was cut from the official event video, quickly turned the focus away from Copilot’s new features, but Suleyman handled the moment gracefully, repeatedly acknowledging the protest: “Thank you for your protest, I hear you.”
The Talk Show Vibe and Big Appearances
Despite the protest, the vibe of the event quickly shifted back to celebration. Brenda Song, known for her roles in The Social Network and Running Point, hosted the employee-only portion of the event, bringing energy to the crowd with memes about Clippy and Xbox.
The crowd went wild when Steve Ballmer took the stage. Known for his high-energy persona, Ballmer led the crowd in his iconic chant: “Developers, developers, developers!” It was a nostalgic moment for many, and his exuberance was contagious. The energy in the room soared when Ballmer shouted, “50 more! 50 more! 50 more!”
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A Historic CEO Reunion
The event reached its peak when all three CEOs, Gates, Ballmer, and Nadella, appeared together on stage for the first time in over 10 years. The trio reflected on the company’s journey, discussing their admiration for one another.
Gates opened with a humorous jab at his former colleagues: “I wrote more code than either of these guys, but when it comes to picking people, motivating people, thank god for Steve and Satya.” he jokingly said.
Ballmer praised Gates as the smartest person he’s ever met: “The ability to apply that and use that in all kinds of constructive ways, unparalleled and unmatched.” said Ballmer.
Nadella, clearly moved by his predecessors, reflected on their influence on his leadership: “The intellectual rigor and honesty both have Steve’s passion; Bill just made us better.”
More Protests: A Tense End to the Day
While the three CEOs reminisced about their journey, another protester disrupted the event. Vaniya Agrawal, another Microsoft employee, shouted from the audience: “Shame on you all. You’re all hypocrites.” The protest, centered on Microsoft’s corporate actions, cast a shadow over the festive atmosphere. Agrawal later resigned from the company, marking a dramatic end to an already eventful day.
Looking Ahead to the Next 50 Years
Despite the tensions, the event concluded with an optimistic view of the future. Bill Gates expressed excitement about the next 10 years, saying, “It’s an amazing and exciting time, the impact of this 10 years will be greater than any 10 years in the company.” Ballmer, ever the optimist, agreed, stating, “That will be a testament to me, Bill, and Satya and probably three more CEOs, including Copilot. You can decide whether Copilot is the CEO or the assistant; that’s to be determined.”
The Afterparty
After the official event, Allen Stone, a local band, provided music, and the celebratory atmosphere continued into the evening.
Microsoft’s 50th birthday was not only a celebration of the company’s incredible achievements over the past five decades but also a glimpse into its future, one that will continue to be shaped by the energy and innovation of its leadership, employees, and even its outspoken critics.
