In a dramatic moment that shook the tech world, Elon Musk made a bold statement that visibly surprised Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella. The incident occurred during a major international tech conference in San Francisco, where both tech leaders were keynote speakers.

Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella and Elon Musk Disagree on OpenAI Control -  Gizmochina

Elon Musk’s Bold Criticism

While on stage, Elon Musk openly criticized the growing relationship between Microsoft and OpenAI—the AI research company Musk co-founded and later distanced himself from. Musk expressed concern about Microsoft’s multi-billion-dollar investments in OpenAI and the integration of powerful AI tools into Microsoft products like Azure, Office, and Bing.

This Gave A Seizure To: Elon Musk On Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella's Update  On Outage

He stated:

“I’m not against Microsoft, but we have to ensure that AI power doesn’t become overly centralized in the hands of a few corporations. That’s more dangerous than people realize.”

Satya Nadella says Elon Musk is factually incorrect about Microsoft  controlling ChatGPT maker OpenAI - BusinessToday

Satya Nadella’s Surprised Response

Satya Nadella, known for his calm and composed demeanor, appeared momentarily taken aback. In a firm but respectful tone, he responded:

“I respect Elon’s perspective, but Microsoft is deeply committed to responsible AI development—for the benefit of all humanity.”

His measured reply emphasized Microsoft’s stance on ethical innovation and its determination to lead in the AI space responsibly.

Elon Musk says Microsoft controls ChatGPT maker OpenAI, CEO Satya Nadella  says factually not : r/singularity

A Heated Debate Begins

The exchange sparked an immediate firestorm across social media platforms, with millions chiming in. Some sided with Musk, arguing that unchecked AI power poses global risks. Others defended Microsoft, praising the company for making advanced AI tools more accessible and regulated.