Bill Gates revisits early days as Microsoft turns 50
On the 50th anniversary of Microsoft, the co-founder Bill Gates took to Instagram and shared memories of his early days. In the reel, he put together a few old photos, and in the text wrote, “Unfortunately, I’ll never feel cool again because this was me in the early Microsoft days.”
Gates, who served as a CEO until 2000, collected these throwback photos which were clicked in a few “awkward photo shoots”, according to Gates.
“Happy 50th birthday, @microsoft. Thanks for the memories-and awkward photo shoots,” Gates wrote in his message for the company.
To mark Microsoft’s 50th anniversary, a light-hearted and unexpected twist brought together three of the company’s most iconic leaders—Bill Gates, Steve Ballmer and current CEO Satya Nadella—for a playful conversation featuring none other than Microsoft’s AI assistant, Copilot.
The reunion wasn’t just a nostalgic walk down memory lane—it was a tech-forward moment with humour at its heart. In a clip shared by Nadella on social media, the AI-led interaction took a fun turn when he prompted, “wrap it up by asking or maybe roast giving us each an AI roast?” To which Copilot playfully replied, “Alright, Satya. Let’s spice it up.”
As the AI turned its attention to each of the three tech giants, Gates received a particularly cheeky jab: “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 responded in good humour, “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.”
Copilot came back with a compliment, saying, “And it’s a formidable gaze indeed, Bill.”
Ballmer couldn’t resist jumping in with a witty remark of his own: “Copilot, would you ever be willing to criticise him?”
The exchange wrapped up on a charming note, with Copilot offering a toast: “Here’s to another 50 years of innovation and adventure. Cheers.”
Gates, never one to miss a beat, replied with a smile, “Whatever that means to an AI. Does it drink?”