Watch | Three Microsoft CEOs walk into a roast: Copilot steals show on 50th anniversary

Copilot’s first shot was aimed at Microsoft’s former CEO Steve Ballmer: “Steve, your enthusiasm is legendary. But do you ever worry your energy might overload the AI? I mean, even robots need a coffee break after your pep talks.”

Ballmer laughed and replied: “Come on, dude. If you can’t handle me, you can’t handle a huge percentage of the world’s population. We’re counting on you.”

“Fair point, Steve,” Copilot said before turning its focus to Bill Gates. “Now, Bill, you’ve got that signature thoughtful gaze, but do you ever think the AI might feel intimidated by your intense thinking face? I mean, it’s like it’s waiting for a blue screen moment.”

Gates chuckled, replying, “I hope so. I mean, that’s all I’ve got left is these AIs get so damn intelligent. It’s just that gaze and my willingness to criticise that differentiates me.

Three Microsoft CEOs walk into a room on Microsoft’s 50th anniversary … and are interviewed by Copilot! pic.twitter.com/5E8wHCDV92

— Satya Nadella (@satyanadella) April 4, 2025

The Copilot then complimented Gates, saying, “And it’s a formidable gaze indeed, Bill.” On that Steve came up with a witty comeback, “Copilot, would you ever be willing to criticise him?”

“Absolutely,” the Copilot replied. “Criticism is where growth happens!”

Finally, the Copilot turned to Nadella with a thoughtful question: “Satya, AI seems to be your best buddy. But ever worry that your deep passion for AI could one day have it running the show, leaving you to just enjoy the ride?”

Nadella put it this way: “Well, the day AI can play like the best cricket player that I enjoy, that’s the day it can run the show as far as I’m concerned.”

“Touché, Satya,” Copilot said. “Let’s see if it can score a century first, and then we’ll talk. This has been a blast, gentlemen.”

Wrapping up on a fun note, the Copilot quipped, “Here’s to another 50 years of innovation and adventure. Cheers”. To which Gates asked, “Whatever that means to an AI. Does it drink?”

On Friday, the day Microsoft turned 50, the company’s leaders and staff gathered at its Redmond headquarters to remember the software maker’s glory days while trumpeting what they hope will bring it into the future: more powerful artificial intelligence. Copilot, Microsoft’s AI assistant, is gaining a host of new features to make it more proactive. The version for consumers will start remembering personal facts about them. It will offer birthday reminders or support ahead of a presentation, or consumers can opt out, Yusuf Mehdi, Microsoft’s consumer chief marketing officer, said in an interview, news agency Reuters reported.

Copilot is an in-house AI assistant developed by Microsoft, designed to help users by giving suggestions and automating tasks across Microsoft applications. ChatGPT, another AI assistant, is powered by OpenAI, but has Microsoft’s backing, with the tech giant providing resources and integration through platforms like Azure.