As the race for artificial intelligence (AI) supremacy continues, Microsoft’s CEO Satya Nadella is joining a growing effort to take on giants OpenAI and Anthropic. In an interview with The Wall Street Journal, Nadella outlined his vision for the next wave of AI, emphasizing cheaper models, more user control, and political messaging that wins the public’s trust.

Nadella criticized the current race for AI supremacy, where a small group of companies is capturing the value of this world-changing technology while making dire prophecies about safety risks and job losses. He predicted that the public wouldn’t tolerate just a few models and companies “doing all of the learning for the world.” To address this issue, Microsoft has rolled out a suite of low-cost AI models meant to drive prices down for customers bracing from sticker shock. The company has also released an autonomous AI “agent” allowing users to choose various AI models, including cheaper ones, as they complete long-running tasks.

In addition to these efforts, Microsoft has signed a 20-year deal with Chevron Corp. to provide natural-gas fired power for a proposed West Texas data center, which could be one of the biggest in the US. Project Kilby, as the power plant is named, is expected to provide first power by 2028 and will ramp up to 2.67 gigawatts over time.

Nadella’s vision for the next wave of AI boom emphasizes the need for cheaper models, more user control, and political messaging that wins the public’s trust. By offering affordable AI solutions and giving users more control over their data, Microsoft is seeking to steer the AI race away from a future dictated and controlled by frontier model-builders. As the AI industry continues to evolve, Nadella’s vision for a more inclusive and responsible approach to AI development could have significant implications for the technology sector and society as a whole.