Dina Bass

Max Chafkin, a Businessweek writer with a knack for corporate tech culture, and Dina Bass, a Bloomberg reporter specializing in Microsoft and AI, dive into the fascinating world of Excel. They discuss its rise from VisiCalc to a corporate staple and its role in everyday office life. The duo explores Excel's competitive edge against rivals like Google Sheets and the promise of AI tools, highlighting its unique ability to fulfill essential human needs in business. Excel’s reign may face challenges, but its legacy is firmly entrenched in corporate America.

Max Chafkin, a Businessweek writer who dives into corporate tech, and Dina Bass, a Bloomberg reporter with a focus on Microsoft and AI, explore the fascinating journey of Excel in corporate America. They discuss its dual reputation as both a beloved productivity tool and a symbol of capitalist drudgery. The conversation highlights Excel's cultural impact, its half-billion users, and how Microsoft’s strategic bundling has locked it into offices. They also evaluate competitors like Google Sheets and examine the future of Excel with emerging AI technologies.

Max Chafkin, a Businessweek journalist, and Dina Bass, a Bloomberg reporter specializing in Microsoft and AI, explore the wild world of Microsoft Excel. They discuss its unexpected status as an esports phenomenon thanks to the Excel World Championship. The duo dives into Excel's cultural baggage, from productivity paragon to capitalist drudgery. Despite new contenders like Google Sheets and AI tools, they argue Excel's unique format and reliability keep it irreplaceable in the corporate realm. Why can’t we quit it? Tune in to find out!