Tencent and Microsoft executives urge AI democratization and real‑world problem focus

Ling Ge, chief investment and strategy officer for Tencent in Europe, Middle East and Africa, said that the next generation of AI firms must create lasting value by solving important, long‑term problems, leveraging proprietary data, deep vertical expertise and seamless integration into users’ workflows. She highlighted AI’s potential to accelerate scientific discovery, from quantum computing to nuclear fusion, and described Tencent’s investment criteria as “the 3 Ps”: people, problem and perspective.

Satya Nadella, CEO of Microsoft, warned that AI development is too concentrated in the hands of a few large players and called for its democratization. He argued that AI should be used to reorganise work rather than cut jobs, stressing the need for cheaper, user‑controlled models. Microsoft is rolling out low‑cost options such as Copilot Co‑pilot and exploring partnerships with low‑price providers like DeepSeek, aiming to curb the surge in AI‑related expenses.

Both executives stressed that broader access and practical utility are essential for AI to deliver societal benefits.