Satya Nadella, CEO of Microsoft, said he welcomes the current wave of competition in the AI industry, emphasizing that healthy rivalry drives innovation and keeps companies sharp. Speaking on the "All-In" podcast recorded during the World Economic Forum in Davos, Nadella described the present moment as intensely competitive—but viewed through the right lens, that’s a positive force. “The way I always think is it's always helpful when you have a complete new set of competitors every decade because that keeps you fit,” Nadella said. “It's a pretty intense time. I'm glad there's the competition.” He reflected on his early career at Microsoft, joining the company in 1992 when Novell, a Utah-based software firm, was considered the dominant and existential rival. Over time, Novell’s influence waned, and it was eventually acquired in 2011. Nadella used that historical shift to underscore a broader point: the tech industry evolves, and new competitors emerge to challenge the status quo—often leading to breakthroughs. Looking ahead, Nadella expressed confidence in the long-term economic power of technology. “At the end of the day, when I look at it as a percentage of GDP, five years from now, where will tech be? It will be higher,” he said. “So we're blessed to be in this industry. It's a lot of intense competition, but it's not so zero-sum as some people make it out.” Rather than seeing competitors as threats to be eliminated, Nadella stressed Microsoft’s focus on understanding customer needs. This approach, he said, differs from Peter Thiel’s famous advice to avoid competition altogether. Instead, Microsoft thrives by staying customer-obsessed and innovating continuously. His perspective aligns with the views of past tech leaders. Bill Gates, Microsoft’s co-founder, once said in a 2005 interview that competition—whether from Google, Apple, or open-source projects—keeps the industry dynamic and prevents complacency. “It's fantastic,” he said. Similarly, Steve Jobs, after returning to Apple in 1997, shifted his mindset from viewing Microsoft as a rival to be defeated to focusing on Apple’s own success. “If we want to move forward and see Apple healthy and prospering again, we have to let go of this notion that for Apple to win, Microsoft has to lose,” he said at the 1997 Macworld Expo. Nadella’s outlook reflects a mature understanding of competition—not as a battle to be won, but as a catalyst for progress. In an era defined by rapid AI advancement, his message is clear: the best way to win is to keep improving, not to try to crush others.