The former Microsoft intern, now CEO of an AMC, described Nadella’s handling of the OpenAI controversy as “wartime management,” adding that no management program can teach this.

Satya Nadella’s leadership has been commended by a former Microsoft intern who is now the CEO of an AMC.

She stated that “wartime leadership” cannot be taught in a management class.

She was pointing to Nadella’s deft management of the OpenAI problem, which erupted following Sam Altman’s dismissal.

Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella has been highly praised for his leadership throughout the OpenAI controversy, but especially by a former Microsoft intern who is now the CEO of one of the fastest growing asset management firms.

She referred to Nadella’s handling of the OpenAI situation as “wartime management,” claiming that no management curriculum can teach this. 

Radhika Gupta, Managing Director and Chief Executive Editor of Edelweiss Asset Management Ltd, is the former Microsoft intern. Gupta worked as a Program Manager intern at Microsoft Office for two summers in 2003 and 2004, conceiving and designing new features. 

“And in the last five days, we saw from you Satya wartime leadership that no management class can teach and that every CEO can learn from.”Thank you very much. “A former Microsoft intern,” Gupta claimed, referencing Nadella’s social media post in which he stated that in the last five days – since the entire OpenAI affair began – 

He witnessed individuals throughout the organization remain cool and steadfast in pushing their objective despite the uncertainty – a result of the board removing CEO Sam Altman, who is perhaps the most well-known figure in AI right now. 

According to sources, Nadella, whose Microsoft has spent billions in OpenAI’s for-profit side, has advocated for the return of Sam Altman. Initially, it was believed that Nadella expressed his support for Altman and whatever he wanted to do next. According to various accounts, Altman’s termination was kept a secret from Microsoft and Nadella. 

Soon after Altman’s resignation was disclosed, Nadella reacted by announcing that Sam Altman and co-founder Greg Brockman will join Microsoft to oversee a new advanced AI research team.  

Nadella further intimated that the two may be joined by “colleagues,” implying that Microsoft might absorb OpenAI employees who planned to depart the business in solidarity with the expelled CEO. This would also imply that Microsoft would retain OpenAI personnel and prevent them from joining competitors Google and Meta. 

However, in yet another twist in this long-winded affair, Sam Altman announced his return to OpenAI with new board members. He stated that joining Microsoft appeared to be the best option for himself and the team at the time, but he now looks forward to returning to OpenAI with Satya Nadella’s backing and a new board, creating a “strong partnership” with Microsoft. 

“The changes to the OpenAI board have encouraged us.” We feel that this is an important first step toward more stable, informed, and effective government. Sam, Greg, and I discussed it and agreed that they, together with the OAI leadership team, had a critical role to play in assuring OAI’s continued success and expansion of its purpose. Satya Nadella had stated, “We look forward to building on our strong partnership and delivering the value of this next generation of AI to our customers and partners.”