August 28, 2025 — Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella has shared a rare glimpse into his daily workflow, unveiling five AI prompts he uses with GPT-5, integrated into Microsoft 365 Copilot, to streamline decision-making, enhance productivity, and stay ahead in the fast-paced tech landscape. Announced via posts on X on August 27, 2025, these prompts highlight how generative AI is transforming executive management by offering predictive insights and context-aware analysis. As Microsoft rolls out GPT-5 across its platforms, Nadella’s examples underscore the technology’s potential to reshape workplace efficiency, though they also raise concerns about increased scrutiny for employees.
The Five GPT-5 Prompts
Nadella’s prompts, designed to leverage GPT-5’s advanced reasoning and data analysis capabilities within Microsoft 365 Copilot, focus on preparation, accountability, and time management. Here are the five prompts he shared:
Anticipating Meeting Priorities:
Prompt: “Based on my prior interactions with [/person], give me 5 things likely top of mind for our next meeting.”
This prompt instructs Copilot to analyze past emails, chats, and discussions with a specific colleague to predict their priorities. The AI generates a concise list of talking points, enabling Nadella to walk into meetings with a strategic advantage, akin to having a “cheat sheet” on the colleague’s agenda.Comprehensive Project Updates:
Prompt: “Draft a project update based on emails, chats, and all meetings in [/series]: KPIs vs. targets, wins/losses, risks, competitive moves, plus likely tough questions and answers.”
Copilot aggregates data from emails, Microsoft Teams chats, and meeting notes to produce a detailed project update. The output includes key performance indicators (KPIs) compared to targets, a summary of successes and setbacks, potential risks, competitive developments, and even anticipated tough questions with suggested responses, ensuring Nadella is prepared for high-stakes briefings.Tracking Launch Progress:
Prompt: “Are we on track for the [Product] launch in November? Check eng progress, pilot program results, risks. Give me a probability.”
This prompt tasks Copilot with evaluating a product launch’s status by analyzing engineering progress, pilot program data, and risks. The AI delivers a comprehensive report, complete with a probability score of success, acting as a “manager’s crystal ball” to guide critical decisions.Time Allocation Analysis:
Prompt: “Review my calendar and email from the last month and create 5 to 7 buckets for projects I spend most time on, with % of time spent and short descriptions.”
Copilot scans Nadella’s calendar and email activity to categorize his time into 5–7 project “buckets,” estimating the percentage of time spent on each and providing brief descriptions. This offers a clear overview of focus areas, helping identify where time is spent—or misspent.Meeting Preparation Briefings:
Prompt: “Review a chosen email, cross-reference it with previous discussions involving the team and manager, and deliver a prep briefing.”
This prompt directs Copilot to analyze a specific email, cross-reference it with past team discussions, and generate a briefing to prepare Nadella for meetings. The result ensures he is never blindsided, with tailored insights and flagged risks ready at hand.
The Power of GPT-5 Integration
Launched on August 7, 2025, GPT-5’s integration into Microsoft 365 Copilot, GitHub Copilot, Azure AI Foundry, and the standalone Copilot app marks a significant leap in AI-driven productivity. Trained on Microsoft’s Azure cloud infrastructure, GPT-5 offers enhanced reasoning, coding, and conversational abilities, processing up to 100,000 tokens for nuanced analysis. Nadella noted on X, “It’s been a few weeks since we brought GPT-5 to Microsoft 365 Copilot, and it’s quickly become part of my everyday workflow, adding a new layer of intelligence spanning all my apps.”
These prompts demonstrate how GPT-5 goes beyond routine tasks like drafting emails or summarizing documents. By blending personal work history with real-time data, Copilot acts as a predictive, context-aware digital assistant, enabling executives to make sharper decisions. For instance, the project update prompt not only compiles data but also anticipates stakeholder questions, while the time allocation prompt offers insights into productivity patterns, potentially revealing inefficiencies.
Implications for Leaders and Employees
Nadella’s public endorsement of these prompts is a strong signal of Microsoft’s commitment to embedding AI across its ecosystem. Industry analysts project that by 2027, 70% of enterprises will adopt AI copilots, driven by tools like GPT-5 that enhance document processing, data analysis, and collaboration. For leaders, this means walking into meetings with unprecedented insights, from predicted colleague priorities to rehearsed responses for tough questions. However, for employees, this level of AI-driven oversight could feel like working under a microscope, with managers potentially knowing more about projects and priorities than ever before.
Critics argue that while these tools boost efficiency, they may reduce wiggle room for teams when projects falter. As one report noted, “Picture stepping into a meeting where your boss already knows what’s on your mind, has mapped out accountability, and is fully briefed on every detail of your project: progress, risks, wins, and setbacks. Excuses have no place.” This heightened transparency could increase pressure on employees, particularly in fast-paced environments like Microsoft.
Broader Context and Industry Impact
Nadella’s reveal comes amid intensifying competition in the AI landscape. On August 7, 2025, Tesla CEO Elon Musk warned that OpenAI, Microsoft’s partner in developing GPT-5, could “eat Microsoft alive,” touting his own xAI’s Grok 4 as superior. Nadella responded lightheartedly, saying, “People have been trying for 50 years, and that’s the fun of it! Each day you learn something new, and innovate, partner, and compete.” He also expressed excitement for Grok 4 on Azure and the upcoming Grok 5, signaling a collaborative yet competitive stance in the AI race.
For Microsoft, GPT-5’s integration is a strategic move to maintain its edge in enterprise productivity. The company’s stock, up 21.06% year-to-date despite a recent 1.12% dip, reflects investor confidence in its AI strategy. As organizations worldwide adopt tools like Copilot, Nadella’s prompts offer a blueprint for leveraging AI to manage complex workflows, setting a new standard for executive efficiency.