Microsoft CTO Kevin Scott on how AI can save the web, not destroy it

Decoder with Nilay Patel

Vox Media Podcast Network

Technology, Business

4.3 • 3.2K Ratings

🗓️ 19 May 2025

⏱️ 74 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

Today, I’m talking with Kevin Scott, the chief technology officer of Microsoft, and one of the company’s AI leaders. Kevin is one of my favorite repeat Decoder guests, and he joined the show this time to talk about the future of search. Microsoft just announced an open-source tool for websites to integrate AI powered natural language search with just a little bit of effort, in a way that lets them actually run whatever models they want and keep control of their data. I saw some demos before Kevin and I chatted, and the improvements over the bad local search on most sites was obvious. So we talked about what this will mean for AI, for search engines, and for the future of the web. Links: Microsoft’s plan to fix the web: letting every website run AI search for cheap | Verge Microsoft Build 2025: news and announcements from the developer conference | Verge Introducing the Model Context Protocol | Anthropic Copyright Office head fired after reporting AI training isn’t always fair use | Ars Technica Microsoft CTO Kevin Scott on how AI and art will coexist in the future | Decoder Microsoft CTO Kevin Scott thinks Sydney might make a comeback | Decoder Microsoft’s CTO explains how AI can help health care in the US right now | Vergecast Transcript: https://www.theverge.com/e/669409 Credits: Decoder is a production of The Verge and part of the Vox Media Podcast Network. Our producers are Kate Cox and Nick Statt. This episode was edited by Xander Adams. The Decoder music is by Breakmaster Cylinder. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcript

Click on a timestamp to play from that location

0:00.0	Support for this show comes from Atio.
0:03.0	Atio is an AI-native CRM built for the next era of companies.
0:08.0	Its powerful data structure adapts to your business model, sinks in all your contacts in minutes,
0:14.0	and enriches everything with actionable data.
0:17.0	Atio's AI research agents tackle complex work, like finding key decision makers and triaging
0:23.1	incoming leads.
0:24.8	You can also create email sequences, real-time reports, and powerful automations, all
0:30.1	to help you build what matters, your company.
0:33.5	Join industry leaders like Flatfile, replicateplicate, Modal, and more.
0:43.9	You can go to atio.com slash Vox, and you'll get 15% off your first year.
0:48.2	That's A-T-T-I-O.com slash Vox.
0:51.3	What's up, y'all?
0:56.6	It's Kitty Beach, and we are currently watching the best playoff basketball since I can't even remember when.
0:59.6	This is what we've been waiting for all season long.
1:10.3	And on my show, Smallball, I'll be breaking down the series matchups, major performances, in-game coaching decisions, and game strategy, and so much more for the most exciting time of the NBA calendar.
1:14.0	New episodes through the playoffs available on YouTube and wherever you get your podcast.
1:16.9	Subscribe to Smallball with Kenny Beecham so you don't miss a thing.
1:20.0	Hello and welcome to Decoder.
1:24.0	I'm Neil Appetal, editor and Chief of the Verge, and Decoder is my show about big ideas and other problems.
1:28.3	Today I'm talking with Kevin Scott, the chief technology officer of Microsoft and one of the company's AI leaders. This is Kevin's third time on Decoder, and he's one of
1:33.6	my favorite guests. He thinks a lot about the relationship between technology and art and culture,
1:38.7	and he's unusually willing to dive into the weeds of it all. Kevin joined the show today
	...

Transcript will be available on the free plan in 5 days. Upgrade to see the full transcript now.

Previous episode | Next episode

Disclaimer: The podcast and artwork embedded on this page are from Vox Media Podcast Network, and are the property of its owner and not affiliated with or endorsed by Tapesearch.

Generated transcripts are the property of Vox Media Podcast Network and are distributed freely under the Fair Use doctrine. Transcripts generated by Tapesearch are not guaranteed to be accurate.