Microsoft’s 50th anniversary celebration was far from a typical corporate event — it was a mix of nostalgia, tech innovation, and unexpected drama. With current CEO Satya Nadella, AI CEO Mustafa Suleyman, and cofounder Bill Gates sharing the stage, the event highlighted Microsoft’s journey from a small software company to a global tech powerhouse.

Nadella celebrated the past and looked ahead with new Copilot AI features, while Suleyman’s presentation was interrupted by a protest from a employee, calling out the company’s ties to the Israeli government. The protest added a serious undertone to an otherwise upbeat event that included live music, gaming jokes, and even Bill Gates reciting digits of Pi. The celebration captured Microsoft’s complex legacy — blending innovation, controversy, and culture — as it heads into its next 50 years.

A Look Back with Satya Nadella

The event kicked off with current CEO Satya Nadella, who took a moment to honor roots. He shared how cofounders Bill Gates and Paul Allen started the company back in 1975 by building software for the Altair 8800, one of the first personal computers.

Nadella reflected on how Microsoft started as a developer tools company and has now evolved into a global platform where “everyone can be a developer.” He showcased improvements to GitHub Copilot, Microsoft’s AI coding assistant, highlighting a future where anyone—not just trained programmers—can write code.

AI, Nostalgia, and a Shocking Protest

Next up was Mustafa Suleyman, the new CEO of Microsoft AI. He brought a personal touch to the event, recalling how getting his first Windows 95 PC as a kid changed his life. But just as he started to introduce new Copilot features, the unexpected happened.

Microsoft employee Ibtihal Aboussad interrupted the presentation, walking up to the stage and shouting, “Mustafa, shame on you!” She accused Microsoft of being a “war profiteer” and condemned the company’s AI work with the Israeli government, saying, “Stop using AI for genocide.”

The protest caught everyone off guard. At first, it seemed like part of the show. But it quickly became clear this was real. Aboussad was escorted out, and later emailed thousands of Microsoft employees, accusing the company of complicity in the violence in Gaza.

While Microsoft later edited the protest out of the event video, Suleyman remained composed, repeating, “Thank you for your protest, I hear you,” before continuing his talk.

The Show Goes On: Music, Memes, and Bill Gates

Despite the interruption, the event continued with a lighter tone. The employee-only portion of the celebration featured live music by local band Allen Stone and was hosted by actress Brenda Song (yes, from The Social Network and Suite Life fame).

Song brought energy and humor to the stage with nostalgic jokes about Clippy (remember the helpful paperclip?) and the Xbox. Then came the man himself — Bill Gates. Dressed like a true tech geek, Gates dove into a talk about quantum computing and even recited 17 digits of Pi from memory.

Gaming, Memories, and the Future

Phil Spencer, CEO of Microsoft Gaming, joined in for a short chat where he casually admitted to playing video games for “20 to 25 hours” a week. In true gamer fashion, he wore a Minecraft-themed jacket while discussing Xbox and gaming culture.

Later, Gates returned to talk about Microsoft’s early vision: putting “a computer on every desk and in every home.” Now, he believes the next frontier is artificial intelligence.

Wrapping Up Microsoft’s Big 5-0

Microsoft’s 50th birthday wasn’t just a celebration — it was a reflection of the company’s massive journey, a showcase of its AI ambitions, and a reminder of the real-world impact of its technology.

From coding tools to protests, memes to quantum computing, the event was as complex and layered as Microsoft itself. With three CEOs, a surprise protest, and some emotional nostalgia, Microsoft’s milestone celebration was anything but ordinary.

Here’s to the next 50 years — and whatever wild ride comes with it.