Microsoft has appointed LinkedIn CEO Ryan Roslansky to oversee its Office productivity software, now known as Microsoft 365, in addition to his current role. This strategic move aims to integrate artificial intelligence (AI) more deeply into Microsoft's suite of productivity tools, reflecting the company's commitment to innovation in the AI space.
Roslansky, who has led LinkedIn since 2020, will now serve as Executive Vice President of Office, reporting to Rajesh Jha, Microsoft's Executive Vice President for Experiences and Devices. In this expanded role, he will be responsible for core applications such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams, and the M365 Copilot AI assistant. He will continue to report directly to CEO Satya Nadella for his LinkedIn responsibilities. (geekwire.com)
This leadership change is part of a broader organizational restructuring aimed at accelerating the deployment of AI tools across Microsoft's product lineup. By consolidating oversight of LinkedIn and Office under Roslansky, Microsoft seeks to create tighter integration among its core platforms, including Microsoft 365 and Dynamics 365, as it develops cross-platform AI tools. (geekwire.com)
In a LinkedIn post, Roslansky expressed his enthusiasm for the new role, stating, "Office is one of the most iconic product suites in history. It has shaped how the world works, literally." He added, "I'm coming into this role in a new, exciting era. Productivity, connection, and AI are converging at scale." (computerworld.com)
As part of the organizational change, Charles Lamanna, who leads business and industry Copilot products, will also move under Jha's group. This shift is intended to streamline Microsoft's AI initiatives and ensure cohesive development and deployment across various sectors. (geekwire.com)
Microsoft's Productivity and Business Processes segment, which includes Office and LinkedIn, has shown strong financial performance. In the fiscal third quarter, the unit's operating margin exceeded 58%, compared with 33% in 2017, reflecting the unit's rising profitability. (nbcchicago.com)
This strategic realignment underscores Microsoft's commitment to integrating AI across its platforms and enhancing user experiences through more intelligent and efficient solutions.
Source: The Software Report Microsoft Expands LinkedIn CEO Roslansky’s Role to Oversee Office Software | The Software Report