Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella believes AI's true impact will be realized starting in 2026, viewing AI as a tool to amplify human capabilities, akin to Steve Jobs' 'bicycles for the mind' concept. He emphasizes that AI should serve as scaffolding for human potential rather than a replacement. Nadella suggests the focus should shift from model sophistication to how humans apply AI to achieve goals, necessitating a new understanding of human-AI collaboration.