Meta AI Director Rohit Patel Joins Microsoft Office and Google Workspace Teams

Rohit Patel, a notable figure in the artificial intelligence sector at Meta, is leaving the company after eight years to embark on a new venture. Patel has founded Ndoc, a startup positioned as a revolutionary alternative to the widely used Microsoft Office suite and Google Workspace.

His departure follows a series of high-profile exits from Meta, including Joel Kaplan, the company’s Chief Global Affairs Officer, and AI team members like Andrew Tulloch and Emily Dalton Smith.

Ndoc aims to solve the disjointed nature of current digital workflows by providing a single cohesive environment for collaboration. Instead of multiplying tools like Excel, Word, and PowerPoint, Patel’s platform integrates these functions into a unified workspace available to all team members, even those without an Ndoc account.

The platform features three main components: the Stage tab for visual presentations, the Narrative tab where analyses and citations are displayed, and the Model tab for datasets and Python scripts. This structure reflects Patel’s focus on ensuring transparency and traceability in AI-generated outputs. With Ndoc, users can scrutinize the algorithms behind the content, empowering them to verify the results produced by AI.

“Even if you don’t know any Python, you can ask [the AI chat] to explain, ‘Hey, what does this script do? Which line has my formula?’” Patel noted, emphasizing the importance of clarity in AI interactions.

Users can upload datasets, request analyses, and receive contextual information tailored to their audience and intent. Ndoc is designed to remember details across multiple dimensions, enriching user interactions over time.

Patel built Ndoc on a foundation of mixed open-source models, leading to significantly lower operational costs compared to competitors reliant on advanced AI technologies. While he anticipated customers would appreciate the cost-effectiveness, initial trials revealed that users were more excited about having an all-in-one solution.

With aspirations to redefine document formats, Patel plans to allow files to be exported as a universal “.ndoc.html” file, which can be opened in any web browser. He intends to open-source this format, providing freedom from the long-standing dependency on Microsoft and Google tools.

His quest for speed and agility in development was a key factor in his decision to leave Meta, where consensus on open-source formats often requires extensive collaboration. “Humans can only move at human pace, whereas…I can move at the pace of what AI can do,” he explained.

Patel’s vision includes competing in a rapidly evolving landscape where major players like OpenAI, Anthropic, and Google are progressing with their AI tools integrated into existing enterprise platforms. The launch of OpenAI’s Space poses a direct competitive challenge.

“Companies are basically attaching AI to spreadsheets and it fills your cells for you,” Patel critiqued. “It just sort of kills my soul.” He believes this narrow approach stifles innovation.

Acknowledging the hurdles of changing user habits, Patel incorporated connectors into Ndoc, allowing users to import their data seamlessly from existing tools. His commitment to usability reflects his high standards, driven by personal experience with an array of tools that failed to meet his expectations.

Currently, Ndoc is in the pilot phase with select enterprises, offering an alpha version to interested users via a waitlist. While access is free, charges will apply based on usage. Patel anticipates releasing a beta version shortly, with a full launch aimed for the next year.

Patel emphasizes the importance of rapid execution over creating a flawless product at the outset: “Execution is extremely cheap…so go execute on a suboptimal plan and worry about it later,” he advised.