Microsoft CEO: We’re moving from OS and apps to agents instead

Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella announced a strategic shift from traditional operating systems and applications to an agent-first computing model, unveiled alongside Qualcomm's Project Solara chip-to-cloud platform at Microsoft Build. The partnership aims to create AI agents that are more personal, aware, and persistent across devices, marking a fundamental platform shift in how users interact with technology.

Today, Microsoft Build brought the announcement https://www.qualcomm.com/news/onq/2026/06/project-solara-agent-first-computing of Project Solara, a new chip-to-cloud platform for AI agents. With the reveal, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella shared an interesting quote on the company’s vision for an agent-first computing future. Microsoft CEO shares vision for very different future of computing Microsoft and Qualcomm are partnering https://www.qualcomm.com/news/onq/2026/06/project-solara-agent-first-computing on a new initiative called Project Solara to advance agent-first computing. Per Qualcomm, Solara is “a new chip-to-cloud platform where silicon, software and cloud come together to power AI experiences that are more personal, more aware and always with you.” Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella and Qualcomm President and CEO Cristiano Amon filmed a video where they discuss the initiative, available here https://www.qualcomm.com/news/onq/2026/06/project-solara-agent-first-computing . In it, Nadella highlights a shift from traditional software platforms—operating systems and apps—to an agent-first future. Here’s his exact quote: “There’s a real platform shift. We’re moving from building operating systems, devices for apps, to agents.” It’s a bold claim, to be sure. Nadella is casting vision for a very different future of computing than what we’ve all grown accustomed to today. Top comment by John Atkinson comments Remember how Windows 8 moved from a Desktop first OS to a Mobile/tablet first OS. This gives the same sort of vibes. View all comments comments Microsoft’s pivot to building agents also sets the stage for Apple to outline its own vision for computing at WWDC next week https://9to5mac.com/2026/05/27/how-to-watch-apples-wwdc-keynote-ios-27-new-siri-and-more/ . Apple’s developer conference is all about traditional software—new OS versions, tools for building apps. But it will also bring the unveiling of iOS 27’s new Siri https://9to5mac.com/2026/04/01/ios-27s-new-siri-is-coming-and-sounds-very-much-worth-the-wait/ and rumored new agentic capabilities. You can read more about Project Solara here on Microsoft’s website https://commandline.microsoft.com/project-solara-build-2026/ . What do you think of Satya Nadella’s vision for an agent-first computing future? Let us know in the comments. Best iPhone accessories AirPods Pro 3 https://amzn.to/3Peq3Ge now only $199 , down from $249 MagSafe Car Mount for iPhone https://amzn.to/4tSJYde 10-year AirTag battery case https://amzn.to/4e6O6R2 AirTag 2 https://amzn.to/48BACtL 1-pack https://amzn.to/48BACtL / 4-pack https://amzn.to/3OFX4Lv 100W USB-C fast charging power adapter https://amzn.to/48EbPVU FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More. https://9to5mac.com/about/ affiliate our homepage http://9to5mac.com/ for all the latest news, and follow 9to5Mac on exclusive stories https://9to5mac.com/feature/exclusive/ , reviews https://9to5mac.com/guides/review/ , how-tos https://9to5mac.com/guides/how-to/ , and subscribe to our YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/9to5mac