An internal memo related to a new artificial intelligence (AI) tool has sparked controversy within Microsoft, drawing a sharp reaction from CEO Satya Nadella, a report has claimed. The leaked document contained a product strategy and was authored by Microsoft corporate vice president Omar Shahine and executive Jakob Werner, outlining a multi-phase launch plan for "Scout," a newly announced AI personal assistant.
Leaked Memo Reveals Controversial Strategy
Citing the document, 404 Media reported that it stated the goal of the product's first phase is to "make people addicted" to the tool. The internal document, titled "ClawPilot: Overview and Plan with Project Lobster," reveals a three-phase strategy to transition the software from an "addictive app to [an] agentic platform." Under a subheading titled "ClawPilot Overall Plan," the document instructs the team to build a user base and an ecosystem of tools that forces users to "depend on it daily." Shahine noted in the memo that early testing among Microsoft employees already showed intense daily usage and high retention rates.
Scout: From Side Project to Corporate Strategy
The software, officially announced by Microsoft at Build 2026 Tuesday as "Scout," is an "always-on personal agent" designed to sit on a user's desktop, learn how they work, and handle tasks like managing calendars, organizing email inboxes, filing expenses, and preparing for meetings. The tool is aimed at corporate "knowledge workers," which includes people in finance, legal, human resources, and operations, who want automated assistance but lack technical programming skills. The project originally began as a personal hobby for Shahine. In April, he wrote on his personal blog and LinkedIn that he had built a personal AI assistant using "OpenClaw," a viral, open-source AI tool that allows software agents to perform tasks on behalf of humans.
Memo Makes CEO Satya Nadella Angry and Internal Backlash
The language in the memo has reportedly caused friction among Microsoft's workforce and made CEO Satya Nadella "angry" over how the product's strategy was framed. Speaking on the condition of anonymity, one Microsoft employee described the addiction-focused language as "very troubling." "We're seeing more and more addiction happening with AI chatbots and agents, and overall addiction to me is something no product should be making a part of its build strategy," the employee said, calling it a case of the company "saying the quiet part out loud." Meanwhile, a report said Nadella called it "nonsense," saying, "This is absolutely a non goal!"
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