Thanks to cloud computing[1], the Internet of Things[2] and artificial intelligence[3], we should start to think of the planet as one giant computer, according to Microsoft chief executive Satya Nadella.
"Digital technology, pervasively, is getting embedded in every place: every thing, every person, every walk of life is being fundamentally shaped by digital technology -- it is happening in our homes, our work, our places of entertainment," said Nadella speaking in London. "It's amazing to think of a world as a computer. I think that's the right metaphor for us as we go forward."
For some time, Nadella has been refocusing Microsoft[4] on higher growth areas like cloud, machine learning and AI. The company's Azure cloud business grew 93 percent in the last quarter[5] -- far faster than the personal computing business. In March, a company re-organisation[6] put even more emphasis on cloud and AI, and split up the Windows and Devices group[7].
SEE: How to implement AI and machine learning[8] (ZDNet special report) | Download the report as a PDF[9] (TechRepublic)
AI is core to Microsoft's strategy, Nadella said: "AI is the run time which is going to shape all of what we do going forward in terms of applications as well as the platform."
Microsoft is rethinking its core products by using AI to connect them together, he said, giving an example of a meeting using translation, transcription, Microsoft's HoloLens and other devices to improve decision-making.
"The idea that you can now use all of the computing power that is around you -- this notion of the world as a computer -- completely changes