5 Ways We're Confusing AI Capability and AI Reality with Microsoft CTO Kevin Scott
AI models are more capable than how we actually deploy them, with deployment lagging capability even at Microsoft.
“just because an AI model is highly capable of something does not necessarily mean that quick deployment will follow”
Microsoft CTO Kevin Scott argues there is a persistent 'capability overhang' where AI models outpace their real-world use, and that high capability does not guarantee fast deployment. Even with ~100,000 internal developers, Microsoft sees adoption lag, with agentic coding being the area where AI capability is furthest ahead. It matters because it reframes expectations away from 'build it and they will come' toward the harder organizational work of deployment.