We Won't Go Back to AI Winter, as Long as We Don't Hype It: Microsoft CEO Flipkart has chosen Microsoft's Azure as the exclusive public cloud provider.

By Sneha Banerjee

You're reading Entrepreneur India, an international franchise of Entrepreneur Media.

Microsoft Website

Microsoft Corp CEO Satya Nadella kick started his three day India visit in Bengaluru on Monday. In a fire-side chat with Nandan Nilekani, the torch bearer of Unique Identification Authority of India, Nadella discussed the prospects of new technology for the Indian ecosystem.

Lauding the Aadhar initiative, Nadella appreciated the concept of using data as a resource to leverage the status of common man. "India's digitalisation story is amazing, comparable with any other internet growth story," he added. His statement was very much in sync with Indian industrial magnate Mukesh Ambani's thoughts on data being the new resource.

Data if used for individual development can lead to empowerment of every citizen of India, Nandan said. "Indians will be data rich before they are economically rich says," Nandan said.

AI Winter Unlikely!

Nadella, who is set to hear out 200 startup pitches, said that the entrepreneurial energy in India is tremendous and for Microsoft entrepreneurial energy is all around our cloud. India has amazing entrepreneurial energy. Over 2,000 have used Microsoft Cloud over the last 12 months, Indian born Nadella said.

Nadella, expressed about his excitement about augmented reality and all and said it's mostly about the progress made by neural networks. "Also, as long as we don't hype it, we won't go back to AI winter," he said. Nadella also said that as country we have to be mindful of impact of AI on jobs and that the technology will aid innovative startups in health and education to do more.

Microsoft and Bansals partner!

Joining Nandan and Nadella on stage was Flipkart's Binny Bansal, who also announced that the Indian e-commerce giant has chosen Microsoft's Azure as the exclusive public cloud provider.

Bansal said that the combined strength of both the companies will help improve customer experience in India. Adding to Bansal's announcement, Nadella said, "At Microsoft, we aim to empower every Indian and every Indian organization with technology and key to this is forging strategic partnerships with innovative companies like Flipkart."

Sneha Banerjee

Entrepreneur Staff

Former Staff, Entrepreneur India

She used to write for Entrepreneur India from Bangalore and other cities in South India. 

Business Ideas

70 Small Business Ideas to Start in 2025

We put together a list of the best, most profitable small business ideas for entrepreneurs to pursue in 2025.

News and Trends

How to Start a Business in IT

Today's digital economy puts technology at the heart of nearly every organization, from construction to fashion. That reality opens a world of opportunity for founders who bring fresh ideas, niche expertise, and customer-focused solutions to market.

Side Hustle

After a 12-Year-Old's Side Hustle Made Over $4,000 in 1 Day, He and His Dad Grew the Business to Nearly $50,000 a Month: 'It Takes Commitment'

Madden Forrest and his father, Steven, turned their passion for football into a lucrative business.

Business News

Leaked JPMorgan Internal Survey Reveals Returning to the Office Hurt Morale

The internal survey linked declines in health and well-being scores to return-to-office mandates.

Finance

Wellness Startup Wellversed Raises INR 11 Cr Funding Led By Jubilant FoodWorks

The Gurugram-based platform plans to scale further as a platform that enables wellness and nutrition D2C brands