Microsoft CEO Nadella : Master Software Fundamentals in the AI Era

While AI continues to transform the world of software development, Nadella stressed that computational thinking and core problem-solving skills remain essential. When asked about the best advice for those entering the tech industry during this AI-dominated era, he replied that understanding the fundamentals of software engineering is still crucial.

“Understanding the true principles of software is very important,” Nadella said. “It’s very important to have computational thinking skills.”

He added that although AI tools, such as GitHub Copilot, can assist in code writing, they still require users to give clear, logical instructions — something only possible when backed by a strong technical foundation.

Sharing a personal anecdote, Nadella explained how he once used GitHub Copilot to resolve a bug but had to revisit his understanding of SQL to interpret the solution correctly.

“I used a filter to get percentiles for a feature, but then I realized — wait, I need to re-understand what I did in SQL,” he said.

According to Nadella, AI will democratize software architecture in the future, enabling more individuals to contribute to software creation. However, he warned that without a solid grasp of the basics, even the most advanced AI tools will fall short in delivering success.

In a world quickly moving toward AI integration, Nadella’s message is clear: embrace AI, but never ignore the fundamentals. His words serve as both a reality check and a roadmap for the next generation of tech innovators.