Sam Schillace, Deputy CTO at Microsoft and creator of Google Docs, discusses the journey of building Google Docs, the importance of embracing failure and taking risks, the significance of disruptive innovation, trade-offs between Google Docs and Microsoft Excel, the early days of Ajax, and the value of playing with technology.

Sam Schillace, Deputy CTO at Microsoft and author of "No Prize for Pessimism," chats about optimism in tech innovation. He shares insights from his days creating Google Docs, emphasizing the need to tackle complex problems. Schillace discusses the shift from traditional programming to modern user-centric AI applications. He also reflects on the timing and strategies involved in selling his company to Google, revealing lessons in collaboration and the importance of embracing the messiness of the creative process.

Sam Schillace, Deputy CTO of Microsoft, talks about AI Engineering, the AI Engineer World's Fair, GPT-4, and Microsoft's AI portfolio. They discuss the rise of AI Engineering, challenges in the industry, and Microsoft's influence in AI development. The podcast covers the collaboration at the World's Fair event and the focus on AI innovation and democratization.

Sam Schillace, Deputy CTO at Microsoft and creator of Google Docs, shares insights on developing technical taste, AI, market timing, and scaling a software company in 2024. He discusses the importance of asking 'what if' questions, lessons on market timing, and the future of AI. The podcast covers topics like developing technical taste, the value of optimism and risk-taking in tech, and the evolution of tech product development.

Have you ever wondered who was behind the creation of Google Docs? Kevin talks with Sam Schillace, one of the people who launched the transformational – and at the time controversial – idea 16 years ago. Today, Sam is an engineering Corporate VP focusing on consumer product culture and next generation productivity who stresses the importance of asking “What if?” questions. Kevin and Sam talk career advice, the fact that there’s always tension in high functioning teams and why we’re on the cusp of a new technological era.  Kevin Scott  Behind the Tech with Kevin Scott  Discover and listen to other Microsoft podcasts.