Nadella: In the Global AI Race, Speed of Adoption Matters More Than Invention

At a recent event in New Delhi, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella laid out a clear argument for how countries could win the global artificial intelligence (AI) race — not by inventing new technologies, but by adopting and implementing existing ones at scale.

“Historically, when technological waves have swept across the world, the ones who’ve surged ahead weren’t necessarily those who invented the leading tech,” Nadella told a gathering of policymakers, industry leaders and tech developers. “They were the ones who adopted it fastest — and used that momentum to build the next wave of innovation.”

His remarks come alongside Microsoft’s landmark commitment of US $17.5 billion to India — the company’s biggest investment in Asia — aimed at expanding cloud infrastructure, data centres, and AI capabilities across the country over the next few years. According to Nadella, India is uniquely positioned to capitalise on this wave thanks to a strong digital backbone, a vast developer base, and a “virtuous cycle” created by policy, private-sector participation and market demand.

As part of this push, Microsoft plans to train millions of Indians in AI, enable development of applications tailored to local needs, and strengthen data-handling frameworks to ensure sovereignty and security. Nadella stressed that success would depend not just on availability of tools, but on how effectively they are used: “If you only consume technology and don’t build upon it — you fall behind.”

He also insisted that AI’s promise lies in practical, human-centred applications: healthcare diagnostics, infrastructure planning, public services, and business digitisation — rather than theoretical innovation alone. This means real-world deployment, adaptation to local languages and contexts, and building ecosystems where technology amplifies human capability.

Nadella’s message serves as both a wake-up call and a blueprint. Rather than placing emphasis purely on breakthroughs or research-driven invention, he urged a shift towards swift, widespread adoption — enabling institutions, enterprises and individuals to turn AI potential into tangible impact. For India, already among the world’s fastest-growing digital markets, this could offer a path to leapfrog into a leading global role in the AI era.