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Date: March 27, 2024

In a major step to boost AI development, Microsoft has appointed Pavan Davuluri, an IIT Madras alumni, as Chief of Windows.

Microsoft is one of the world's leading hardware and software solutions companies. It pioneered a general computer interface for common people, which brought millions of computers to their homes. After 48 years of capturing the majority market of computer users through Microsoft Windows, the company is planning a new hierarchical structure for scaling the business in new domains.

Microsoft has appointed Pavan Davuluri, an IIT Madras Alumni, as its new head of Microsoft Windows and Surface wings. This makes Pavan the latest Indian to be bestowed with a leadership position in a big tech company. Amid rising mass layoffs and economic uncertainty, Pavan’s career path can be a fresh inspiration for the new generation.

Pavan Davuluri has been working at Microsoft for 23 years. This change in hierarchy came after Panos Panay departed from Amazon last year. During his tenure, Panos was leading the Microsoft Windows and Surface divisions. After his departure, the two sets came under two leaders, Pavan Davuluri and Mikhail Parakhin. Parakhin handled the Windows and Experiences team, while Davuluri managed the Surface Silicon and devices work. After Parakhin left the company to explore new roles, Pavan took over the two departments.

Pavan will report to Rajesh Jha, the current Microsoft Head of experiences and devices.“This will enable us to take a holistic approach to building silicon, systems, experiences, and devices that span Windows client and cloud for this AI era,” Jha said about the decision.

The main reason behind this development is the company’s vision of bringing AI services to its computer and mobile users. Pavan has a strong hold on working with Qualcomm and AMD to create the Surface’s processors. He is one of the ideal industry leaders to help Microsoft AI achieve the bold ambition of building world-class consumer AI products.

Jha said, “As part of this change, we are bringing together the Windows Experiences and Windows + Devices teams as a core part of the Experiences + Devices (E+D) division. This will enable us to take a holistic approach to building silicon, systems, experiences, and devices that span Windows client and cloud for this AI era. Pavan Davuluri will lead this team and continue to report to me. Shilpa Ranganathan and Jeff Johnson and their teams will report directly to Pavan. The Windows team will continue to work closely with the Microsoft AI team on AI, silicon, and experiences."

More Indians are taking on top leadership roles in big tech companies. Before Pavan, Sundar Pichai became the CEO of Aplhabet Inc. Satya Nadella heads Microsoft's business as its CEO. 
In recent years, many Indian professionals have emerged as industry leaders in international business domains and brand names.

By Arpit Dubey

Arpit is a dreamer, wanderer, and a tech nerd who loves to jot down tech musings and updates. With a logician mind, he is always chasing sunrises and tech advancements while secretly preparing for the robot uprising.