The rapidly changing auto industry is not all that is defining Detroit, Microsoft Corp. CEO Satya Nadella said Wednesday afternoon. Entrepreneurial energy is also fueling the city's renaissance.

"You've got to keep the big vision," he said. "And I see it."

Dan Gilbert, founder and chairman of Quicken Loans Inc. and Rock Ventures LLC, interviewed Nadella for 45 minutes at an event at the Madison Building attended by about 130 business leaders and entrepreneurs. The discussion touched mainly on Detroit's potential for technology and entrepreneurship, as well as what it takes to keep a giant company like Microsoft moving forward.

Nadella said that among his many goals as CEO is creating a culture of empowerment and purpose for everyone in the company. His main goal, though, is empowering the consumer.

"My goal is not to be the cool kids," he said. "We want those using our tools to feel cool."

As far as longevity, he said, it's all about looking ahead.

"Technologies will come and go," Nadella said. "When you have that first hit, when you're in the heyday, is when you have to be most watchful because that act will end. You always have to look for that next act."

Nadella's remarks come on the heels of Detroit announcing one of its next big acts: the opening of a Microsoft tech center in Gilbert-owned One Campus Martius in downtown Detroit.

Nadella and Gilbert spoke of the importance of the city's future in technology and how that intersects with the auto industry.

"I've never seen an industry go through such rapid change," Nadella said. "There's an entire ecosystem of startups around the auto industry."

Gilbert ended the interview with this question: "Could you see Detroit being among the top three, four tech centers in the country?"

People already come here for jobs you would normally associate with Silicon Valley, Nadella said. "You have a real shot."