Microsoft Corp. has finally closed the deal on its LinkedIn Corp. acquisition, using the occasion to announce lofty intentions to empower a disaffected public.

Microsoft Chief Executive Satya Nadella said he was excited and enthusiastic about the $26 billion deal finally coming together after a series of regulatory clearances, and in a blog post he outlined what customers can expect from a new-look LinkedIn.

One controversial change will be LinkedIn notifications appearing in the Windows Action Center. Although it’s perhaps only a slight change for Windows users, it has drawn criticism. Who wants to be reminded that strangers are wishing them a happy anniversary at the company they are working for? But that was the least of it.

Nadella outlined a host of other major changes:

• LinkedIn identity and network in Microsoft Outlook and the Office suite.
• Enabling members drafting résumés in Word to update their profiles, and discover and apply to jobs on LinkedIn.
• Extending the reach of Sponsored Content across Microsoft properties.
• Enterprise LinkedIn Lookup powered by Active Directory and Office 365.
• LinkedIn Learning available across the Office 365 and Windows ecosystem.
• Developing a business news desk across our content ecosystem and MSN.com.
• Redefining social selling through the combination of Sales Navigator and Dynamics 365.

Brad Smith, Microsoft’s president and chief legal officer, was both political and philosophical about the acquisition and the way ahead. He suggested the deal could empower a public that he thinks, judging from the Brexit and U.S. presidential election, feel “left out and unable to participate in the economic growth and opportunities created by the rising digital economy.”

Smith added that while he believes such technology is in no way a panacea to right economic and social wrongs, he also believes an improved LinkedIn with better tools and opportunities to both study and become a dynamic member of a massive business community is an opportunity that can’t be missed.

LinkedIn is a start in the right direction, said Smith, adding that governments will need to “continue to innovate across a wide array of education, training and labor policies. And across the private and public sectors, we all will need to come together and act with a sense of shared responsibility.”

Photo credit: Esther Vargas via Flickr