NEW DELHI: Pavan Davuluri, an IIT Madras graduate, has been appointed as the new head of Microsoft Windows and Surface following the departure of Panos Panay to Amazon. This appointment marks Davuluriโs entry into the league of Indians heading major US tech companies.
Davuluri, an alumnus of IIT Madras, has been associated with Microsoft for over 23 years. He joined the company in 2001 and has held various positions, including Corporate Vice President overseeing Windows Silicon and Systems Integration.
The appointment comes after Panayโs exit from Microsoft last year. Microsoft split the Windows and Surface groups, each under separate leadership. Davuluri, who previously oversaw Surface silicone work, now assumes responsibility for both Windows and Surface.
ALSO READ: In a See-Saw battle ABVP surges ahead in JNU elections, counting underway
In an internal letter obtained by The Verge, Rajesh Jha, Microsoftโs head of experience and devices, announced Davuluriโs new role. The letter highlighted organizational changes within the Windows and Web Experiences team, with Mikhail Parakhin transitioning to explore new roles under Kevin Scottโs supervision.
Under Davuluriโs leadership, the Windows and Surface teams aim to take a holistic approach to building silicon, systems, experiences, and devices that span Windows client and cloud for the AI era. This integration aligns with Microsoftโs objective of incorporating AI products like Copilot into E+D products and services.
Davuluriโs promotion underscores Microsoftโs commitment to innovation and leadership continuity. With his extensive experience and technical expertise, Davuluri is poised to lead Microsoftโs Windows operating system and Surface devices teams into the future.
ALSO READ: Modi awarded Bhutanโs top civilian honour
In a statement, Davuluri expressed pride in the teamโs efforts and commitment to delivering exceptional products and experiences for customers. His appointment reflects Microsoftโs strategic focus on advancing technology and enhancing customer experiences in the AI era.
The Windows shake-up occurred days after Mustafa Suleyman joined as Microsoft AI CEO. Several Inflection AI employees, including co-founder Karรฉn Simonyan, also joined Microsoft AI. This strategic move is viewed as a talent acquisition strategy to bypass regulatory scrutiny.
