Microsoft's chief executive officer suggested on Thursday that women in technology should not ask for raises but have faith in the "system", bringing a torrent of criticism and causing the executive to apologize after the statement. Nadella was asked how women should get ahead in the tech world at the Grace Hopper Conference in Phoenix, Arizona, intended to celebrate women in computing.

"It's not really about asking for the raise, but knowing and having faith that the system will actually give you the right raises as you go along," Nadella said.

"Because that's good karma," Nadella continued. "It'll come back because somebody's going to know that's the kind of person that I want to trust."

Maria Klawe, president of Harvey Mudd College and a member of Microsoft's board, ressponded saying his viewpoint was "one of the very few things that I disagree with you on."

Nadella later apologized for its own words.

"I answered that question completely wrong. Without a doubt I wholeheartedly support programs at Microsoft and in the industry that bring more women into technology and close the pay gap. I believe men and women should get equal pay for equal work. And when it comes to career advice on getting a raise when you think it’s deserved, Maria’s advice was the right advice. If you think you deserve a raise, you should just ask," Nadella said in a memo to Microsoft employees.

Only 29 percent of Microsoft's more than 100,000 employees are female, according to data recently released by the company.