In an era where Artificial Intelligence is rapidly changing the software industry, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella has a clear message for those who are aimed at breaking into the tech: Never consider the power of strong basic things. In a recent chat with popular technology youtuber Sajjad Khade, Nadella offered a dose of ground advice to beginners in the hope of making her mark in the technical world. Despite the growing capabilities of AI, they believe that basic computational thinking and system design skills are important. “Just achieving real basic things of software (if you are a software engineer), I think, matters a lot,” Nadella said. “For me, the ability to think computically (is important).”

Khade raised the question and asked Nadella what he advises that he would offer someone to start in today’s AI-powered software scenario. Nadella said that while AI can assist in coding, it still depends on the ability of the user logically thinking and offering structured guidance.

“The path of that software architect intensifies,” he explained. “We are all going to be more software architects.”

Nadella used an individual anecdote to outline her point. He recalled how he recently encountered a bug in his code and solved it using an AI-managed coding assistant Github Copilot. “Except I was thinking about it, it was a very good issue, okay? The issue was that I was a filter, which was originally one percent … was making a feature. But then I said, ‘Oh man, this, you, like, you know, I know, you know what an SQL is, right?”

This balance is the argument of Nadella, what does the future of coding look between human insight and AI-managed assistance. While AI will continue to handle more repetition and mechanical functions, the main responsibilities of structuring problems and designing coherent systems will fall for humans.

In fact, AI has already entered its software development process of Microsoft. Earlier this year, in a conversation with Mark Zuckerberg, CEO of Meta, Nadella revealed that AI currently writes an important part of Microsoft’s code.

He said, “I would say that maybe 20 percent, 30 percent code that is inside our repo today and some of our projects are probably written by software,” he said.

Nadella also made the headlines of “Agentic AI” during his keynote speaker at Microsoft Build last month. According to him, “Agentic web is re -shaping the entire tech stack, and we are creating new opportunities for the gods on every layer.”

Their commitment to prepare future technical professionals is not limited to philosophy and product development. Earlier this year, Microsoft announced a major initiative in India as part of its widespread global AI strategy. In partnership with the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, the company has promised to skill 500,000 students, teachers, developers, government officials and women entrepreneurs across the country by 2026.

The major elements of this partnership include the establishment of the AI ​​Center of Excellence called “AI Catalyst” with the aim of nurturing rural innovation and strengthening the growing community of 100,000 AI developers. In addition, Microsoft National Skill Training Institutes (NSTIS) will set up 20 AI productivity laboratories and NIELIT centers in ten Indian states, designed to train 20,000 teachers in core AI concepts.

This emphasizes skilling on the hands on the basic principles of Nadella. As AI is more sophisticated, people who combine a strong technical foundation with the ability to effectively collaborate with AI devices are most likely.

Therefore, if you are planning to enter the venture in Tech, then take it from Nadella, write an AI code, but it is human simplicity that still defines what that code should do.