Satya Nadella argues that simply pushing into new technological frontiers—like AI—won’t stick unless you build a supporting ecosystem around it. He points out that past platform shifts, from mainframes to PCs to mobile, succeeded because developers, hardware makers, and service providers rallied together. Without that network of partners, you risk creating one-off experiments rather than lasting change. He stresses that firms need to invest in open standards and shared infrastructure. That means building APIs, common data formats and governance models so startups and established companies can plug in. Microsoft’s own Azure investments and acquisitions reflect this: by offering flexible compute power and tools, they’ve onboarded thousands of developers who then attract more customers. Nadella cites Azure’s growth—now serving over 95% of Fortune 500 companies—as evidence that a broad base of users and contributors reinforces the platform’s value. Finally, he warns of the dangers when a single company controls too much of an ecosystem. Competition drives innovation, and a monopoly mindset stifles it. He points to gaming consoles and smartphone app stores as cases where closed environments delayed features or imposed high fees. His call to action: build AI platforms that are open, interconnected and governed by clear rules. That approach, he argues, will fuel sustainable growth and keep the next wave of computing—AI—stable and widely adopted.