How 80,000 companies build with AI: products as organisms, the death of org charts, and why agents will outnumber employees by 2026 | Asha Sharma (CVP of AI Platform at Microsoft)

In this episode, Asha Sharma, Chief Vice President of Product at Microsoft's AI platform, explores how AI products are transitioning from being static artifacts to dynamic organisms. This shift is propelled by advancements in AI models that can learn and adapt through interactions, enabling companies to create products that continuously evolve and improve. Asha emphasizes the move towards an agentic society, where productivity and outputs are managed by various AI agents, potentially altering traditional organizational structures and hierarchies. Sharma describes contemporary planning challenges, noting how AI disrupts typical roadmaps, and introduces a seasonal approach to strategy, focusing on current trends and objectives rather than fixed timelines. The conversation also dives into successful patterns among companies embracing AI, including fostering AI fluency across teams and utilizing existing processes to enhance efficiency. Additionally, Asha shares personal insights about leadership from her collaboration with Microsoft's Satya Nadella, emphasizing the value of optimism and commitment to mission-driven work. She reflects on the future implications of AI on work and societal structure, highlighting how these advancements could enable workers to expand their skill sets and create a more productive environment.