Microsoft VP Explains AI’s Transformative Impact on Startups

Taylor Keatsman

Published: February 12, 2026 11:22 AM ET

Microsoft’s Amanda Silver, a corporate vice president and veteran developer advocate, is at the forefront of AI transformation for startups. With 24 years at Microsoft, her recent focus has been on building tools within the company’s CoreAI division. This includes the Foundry system in Azure, which serves as an integrated AI solution for enterprises. Silver believes that the current advancements in AI represent a significant opportunity for emerging companies, comparable to the early days of the public cloud.

AI’s Transformative Impact on Startups

Silver highlights the profound effects of AI on startups, likening it to the late 2000s transition to the public cloud. Major benefits include reduced operational costs and streamlined processes, enabling startups to launch with fewer resources. AI systems, particularly agentic AI, can automate various functions, leading to operational efficiencies and lower expenses for new ventures.

Enhancing Development Processes

AI-driven systems are being integrated into coding tasks, contributing to better maintenance of software projects. Multistep agents can simplify updating code dependencies, reducing the time required for these tasks by 70-80%. This not only increases efficiency but also minimizes the need for constant human supervision.

Codebase Maintenance: AI systems assist in managing and updating outdated libraries.
Live Operations: AI can automate responses to incidents, letting technical staff focus on more critical issues.

Challenges in AI Adoption

Despite potential benefits, the adoption of agentic AI systems has faced delays. There is often uncertainty regarding the specific business cases these agents should address. Understanding the intended outcomes and the quality of data feeding these systems is crucial for successful deployment.

Deepening the cultural shift within organizations is essential for realizing the full potential of agentic AI. Companies need clarity about the success metrics and operational goals when designing these systems.

Future of AI in Business

Silver foresees a future where AI systems often work alongside humans, especially in complex scenarios that require nuanced understanding. For instance, AI is increasingly capable of evaluating package returns with minimal human oversight. However, critical operations will still necessitate some level of human judgment.

In conclusion, Amanda Silver’s insights illustrate the transformative potential of AI for startups, emphasizing efficiency, cost reduction, and the need for a shift in mindset within companies. As the landscape evolves, embracing these technologies will be crucial for businesses aiming to thrive in an AI-driven world.