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Tag: Microsoft Copilot

  • Get up to $700 off a new Microsoft Copilot+ PC before Windows 10 support ends

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    Best Buy on Microsoft Copilot+ PCs with steep discounts up to $700 off. This is fantastic timing, given that Microsoft . If you’re thinking about upgrading, now is likely the time.

    One cool deal here is for a souped-up version of the . This one , 32GB of RAM and 1TB of internal storage. It also includes a 13.8-inch touchscreen and a battery that gets 20 hours per charge. The laptop ships with Windows 11 Home, which should be relatively futureproof for the next several years. It costs just $1,100, which is a nice discount of $700.

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    This model can be outfitted with even more bells and whistles. There’s one with a more powerful Snapdragon X Elite processor and a 15-inch touchscreen. That one costs $1,500, .

    Other deals include the HP Omen gaming laptop with an AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 375 and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 Ti for and the MSI Codex gaming desktop with an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 GPU for . There are plenty of other discounted laptops, desktops and accessories on the main sale page.

    Microsoft will officially end support of Windows 10 on October 14, but it may not be an immediate death knell. There is a way for users to get an additional 12 months of support via the company’s . Many Windows 10 computers can also easily handle Windows 11, and a software update would be much cheaper than buying a new computer.

    Follow @EngadgetDeals on X for the latest tech deals and buying advice.

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    Lawrence Bonk

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  • AI agents: The next wave of AI-powered innovation  – Microsoft in Business Blogs

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    Across industries and daily life, a profound shift is underway: AI is evolving from a simple tool to an indispensable colleague, reshaping the very nature of work. It’s helping us reimagine how work gets done by blending human judgment with digital labor. 

    At Microsoft, we call the companies leading this shift “Frontier Firms.” I love seeing how their employees and customers are harnessing AI agents to fuel productivity, spark creativity, and unlock new opportunities. And they’re not alone: according to the 2025 Work Trend Index, 82% of business leaders surveyed expect to use digital labor to expand their workforce in the next 12 to 18 months. 

    I’ve seen firsthand how AI is empowering people and transforming organizations. Companies across the Americas and beyond are harnessing AI to achieve things that once seemed impossible.  

    Transforming productivity into purpose with AI agents 

    Within my teams and other Frontier Firms, I’ve seen how incorporating AI agents in human-digital teams enhances productivity and unlocks more time for work that truly matters. AI agents go beyond just data retrieval—they reason, act, and collaborate, making them versatile tools for different business operations. 

    For Frontier Firms, AI agents work alongside or on behalf of employees to complete tasks, update records, and orchestrate end-to-end workflows. Leaders of these organizations are almost twice as likely to say their companies are thriving—71% compared to 37% globally—and 90% report more opportunities for meaningful work. 

    Teams that embed Microsoft 365 Copilot into their workflows are boosting productivity and doubling down on their investment. For our Americas Enterprise and Federal accounts, nearly 95% of Microsoft 365 Copilot purchases in the first half of 2025 were expansions, illustrating the satisfaction and value customers are receiving from Copilot. 

    This momentum isn’t limited to the private sector—educational institutions are also harnessing AI to empower students and educators. At Miami Dade College (MDC), students use custom AI-powered assistants as around-the-clock study companions that offer instant feedback and guidance. In the first semester of implementation, MDC saw a 15% increase in pass rates and a 12% decrease in dropout rates for challenging science, technology, engineering, and mathematics and advanced analytics courses. 

    With AI, Microsoft and other Frontier Firms are leading the way with a unique blend of digital labor and human ingenuity. 

    Embracing AI agents to foster innovation and productivity 

    Incorporating AI agents empowers organizations to streamline operations in ways that increase job satisfaction and deliver superior customer experiences. I’ve seen that promoting AI literacy inspires employees to embrace digital labor, fostering innovation that modernizes business processes. But only 40% of employees report being familiar with AI agents, highlighting the need for training and transparency on how AI agents work. 

    With a people-first mindset, we can encourage employees to make AI work for them in new ways. For example, CSX created multiple AI agents to enhance both employee and customer experiences. The company deployed an internal AI agent to help employees quickly find information about medical benefits. CSX then developed “Chessie for ShipCSX,” an AI-driven agent that customers can use to track freight, manage shipments, and access rail logistics services from the company website. In the first 45 days, over 1,000 customers consulted Chessie across more than 4,000 conversations. 

    This spirit of empowerment is echoed across industries. Persistent Systems developed Contract Assist, an AI-powered agent built using generative AI and Microsoft 365 Copilot, to reduce emails during negotiations by 95% and cut navigation and negotiation time by 70%. This kind of agent-driven innovation not only streamlines work but also empowers employees to focus on higher-value and more meaningful tasks. 

    Together, these stories illustrate that when organizations prioritize people and equip them with AI agents, the result is a more innovative, inclusive, and engaged workplace. 

    Reimagining work with AI 

    The rise of AI agents marks a turning point—not just for technology, but for people and organizations everywhere. We’re seeing a new era where digital teammates amplify human ingenuity, unlock meaningful work, and foster cultures of innovation and inclusion. 

    Whether you’re just starting your AI journey or leading the charge as a Frontier Firm, the opportunity to transform work and purpose is within reach. Imagine what your teams could achieve with AI agents that reason, act, and collaborate alongside you. 

    At Microsoft, we’re committed to empowering every organization to harness the full potential of agentic AI. Together, we can shape a future where technology elevates people, drives progress, and redefines what’s possible. 

    Ready to take the next step? Explore the latest trends, join us at the Microsoft AI Tour, and discover how Microsoft 365 Copilot and agentic AI can help you reimagine the future of work. 

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    Anne Nicole

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  • Innovating with AI: How AvePoint leverages AI for operational excellence and customer satisfaction

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    In today’s rapidly developing digital landscape, businesses must continuously evolve to stay competitive. AvePoint, a global leader in data security, governance, and resilience, embodies this spirit of innovation. In a recent interview, Dux Raymond Sy, Chief Brand Officer of AvePoint, shared how the company has harnessed the power of AI and technologies like Microsoft 365 Copilot, to transform operations and deliver exceptional value to customers. 

    Boosting productivity through AI

    AvePoint’s journey with AI began with a clear and ambitious vision: to leverage cutting-edge technology to drive continuous improvement and empower their customers to embrace the future of work. “As a technology company supporting customers around the world, we had the massive and wonderful opportunity to adopt AI from the get-go,” said Sy. Integrating GitHub Copilot into their workflow enabled them to maximize productivity and streamline operations. Sy elaborates, “we took advantage of GitHub for Copilot to evolve and innovate our technologies. We learned a lot and sped up our development lifecycle and really improved our innovation timeframe.”

    Microsoft 365 Copilot has impacted AvePoint’s teams tremendously, with 95% of pilot participants using it to simplify tasks like summarizing weekend backlogs or extracting financial data from documents into Excel. AvePoint’s people have reclaimed 1-3 hours per week with Copilot, giving them more time to focus on higher-value projects. This strategic move allowed them to rapidly evolve their technologies, ultimately leading to substantial improvements in their operational efficiency and customer experience.

    Enhancing Customer Support with AI

    Customer support is a critical aspect of AvePoint’s operations. By equipping support teams with AI-driven tools, AvePoint has significantly reduced issue resolution times, leading to higher customer satisfaction. “AI-powered agents, such as AvePoint’s internal tool Chat AVPT, provide self-help capabilities and streamline support processes, ensuring customers receive timely and accurate assistance,” explained Sy. Microsoft 365 Copilot has enabled AvePoint’s support team to be much more efficient, whether that comes to drafting emails quicker, finding product material faster, or responding to customers in a timelier manner. As a result, integrating AI-driven tools has become a key performance indicator for AvePoint in 2025. This use of AI has not only improved the efficiency of support teams but also enhanced the overall customer experience. 

    Driving Sustainable Adoption of AI

    AvePoint’s approach to AI adoption goes beyond mere implementation. The company emphasizes sustainable adoption through continuous training, relevant use cases, and automated guardrails. “Like any other technology, regardless of if it’s AI or when the cloud came about, we believe in this idea of sustainable adoption,” noted Sy.  To support this, they developed training materials for a pilot group of employees interested in being part of the initiative. This comprehensive strategy ensures that AI is not only integrated effectively but also used responsibly and efficiently, leading to long-term success and scale.  

    The focus on sustainable adoption has positioned AvePoint as a trusted advisor in AI integration, allowing them to address customer concerns from a place of experience, not just theory. As AvePoint continues to evolve with AI, their comprehensive strategy will allow them to build processes that securely unlock the full potential of digital transformation.

    Key Takeaways on AI-Driven Innovation

    AvePoint’s experience with AI and Microsoft’s technologies serves as a powerful example of how organizations can embrace new technology to achieve operational excellence and deliver exceptional value to customers. By adopting AI tools like Microsoft 365 Copilot and driving sustainable adoption, AvePoint has positioned itself as a pioneering leader in data security and governance. As businesses navigate the complexities of the digital age, AvePoint’s journey offers valuable insights and inspiration for those looking to harness the transformative power of AI. 

    AvePoint’s employees have shared their experiences, highlighting the incredible impact of AI on their operations: 

    • Sales Team: Analyze customer data to identify promising leads. 
    • Marketing Team: Create targeted campaign drafts while refining content strategies for better engagement. 
    • Departmental Managers:  Streamline manual processes to improve efficiency and drive better ROI 
    • Customer Success Manager: Quickly summarize weekend backlogs to kick off each week feeling informed and ready. 
    • FP+A Colleague: Effortlessly extract and format financial data in Excel, freeing up time for deeper analysis. 

    Valuable resources for harnessing the power of AI

    For those looking to harness the power of AI, here are some valuable resources to help you on your journey: 

    By leveraging these tools and insights, businesses can stay at the forefront of technological advancements and drive even greater value for their customers and stakeholders. 

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  • Transforming education with AI

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    Florida State University (FSU), a prestigious research institution renowned for its dedication to innovation and academic excellence, is harnessing the power of Microsoft’s AI tools, including Microsoft 365 Copilot and Copilot Studio, to revolutionize educational settings.  

    In a series of interviews, FSU faculty and administrators shared their experiences, underscoring the transformative potential of AI in education. These discussions highlight FSU’s leadership in integrating cutting-edge technology to enhance both learning and operational efficiency. 

    By leveraging Microsoft’s AI solutions, FSU is helping to define how educational institutions can adopt innovative tools to drive progress and achieve greater outcomes for educators and students alike. 

    Leading the way in AI integration 

    At FSU, the integration of Microsoft’s Copilot Studio into the graduate data science program has given students an opportunity to gain practical experience using AI to understand difficult material. Spearheaded by Gary Tyson, a professor in the computer science department, this initiative includes a capstone course where students apply their interdisciplinary knowledge to real-world data sets. The program covers computer science, statistics, math, and scientific computing, with students taking a core set of courses. By using Copilot Studio, students develop AI tools to explore intricate data sets, preparing them for professional environments and fostering innovation in the classroom. 

    “The ability to use something like Copilot Studio gave me the opportunity to give that to the students as the environment that they would actually develop their materials in,” Tyson said. “I wanted them to approach real-world data sets, like those from the James Webb Space Telescope or complex biology data sets and build a Copilot to help users explore these data sets in a meaningful way. They worked in teams, learning to collaborate and use the tools they will encounter in their professional careers. ” 

    Empowering administrative efficiency 

    Rebekah Dorn, Senior Director for Strategy and Outreach for IT at FSU, highlighted the university’s forward-thinking philosophy on AI and the key business drivers for adopting Copilot. “Florida State’s philosophy on AI is that we’re very curious” she said. “We want to try out new things based on use cases that we have at the university.”  She emphasized the importance of productivity and efficiency for administrative staff, showcasing how Copilot has empowered them to work smarter and more effectively. Dorn mentioned an unexpected benefit of using Copilot: its ability to fill in gaps and allow individuals to focus on their strengths. “A wow moment for me personally is that it was able to take some of the things that I’m not so great at and help fill in some of those gaps so that I could focus my strengths and be able to really bring to the table what makes me uniquely me,” Dorn said. For instance, Copilot has been instrumental in collecting any backlog of emails that staff have not had a chance to respond to yet, and in creating agendas and notes to prepare for upcoming meetings. This innovative approach not only enhances administrative efficiency but also fosters a culture of continuous improvement, setting a precedent for other educational institutions to follow. 

    Future vision and thought leadership 

    Looking ahead, Tyson and Dorn both expressed excitement about the future of AI in education. Tyson emphasized the need for further exploration and adaptation, noting that “the tools are changing fast.” Dorn highlighted the importance of preparing students for an AI-driven workforce, stating, “We’re getting our students involved in AI and making sure that they’re ready for the workforce.” By integrating Microsoft’s AI tools, FSU has revolutionized its educational approach and established a benchmark for other universities to follow.

    Embracing AI: Shaping the future of education 

    By embracing AI, FSU is demonstrating the transformative potential of generative AI in education and leading the way in thought leadership and innovation. Their work is setting a new standard and paving the path for educators to transform their own institutions with AI.  

    Explore how Microsoft 365 Copilot can elevate your organization’s capabilities and drive success with these resources:  

    • Explore AI in education: Discover how AI is transforming the educational landscape with cutting-edge tools and resources designed to empower educators and enhance student learning experiences 
    • Empower students and educators with AI: Explore how forward-thinking schools are using AI to unlock new opportunities in teaching and learning

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  • Personalizing education and enhancing administration with AI

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    With the rapid rise of generative AI tools, educational institutions are discovering new opportunities to enhance the learning experience, increase efficiency, improve communication, and address administrative challenges. The Microsoft AI in Education report reveals that 47% of leaders in education use AI daily. However, a gap in AI literacy is emerging. Despite the experience many education professionals have with AI, only a small percentage report feeling prepared to use this technology to its full potential. 

    How can educational institutions foster innovation while driving student success using AI? In this blog, we’ll highlight how educational organizations are adopting AI tools like Microsoft 365 Copilot to boost productivity for teachers, faculty, administrators, and IT pros. These tools can enhance learning, reduce the AI skills gap, and prepare students for future careers involving AI. 

    Enhancing education with AI

    Generative AI has become a valuable tool for students and teachers alike. Organizations are using AI to simplify complex tasks, such as tracking achievement progress, detecting cyberthreats sooner, and assisting teachers in creating tailored learning experiences. 

    Yet, 63% of education professionals say their institution lacks a vision and plan to implement AI, according to the 2024 Work Trend Index Annual Survey: Education insights. Even more striking, of the education professionals who have received AI training, fewer than half were trained on how to use it for specific use cases. In education, being transparent up front about incorporating AI and creating guidelines for ethical use gives educators the freedom and confidence to adopt AI tools in their workflows without concerns about plagiarism or security. 

    Understanding how AI can transform the experiences of students, faculty, and administrators is the first step to successfully implementing it. The AI in Education report found that AI can be particularly valuable when used as a personalized tutor for students, helping them solve problems by guiding them through detailed explanations rather than simply providing the correct answers. Meanwhile, generative AI makes it easier for teachers to adapt lesson plans to students’ needs. 

    For instance, the IT team at Wichita Public Schools implemented Copilot to enhance educators’ efficiency, aiding them in the creation of lesson plans and other instructional materials. Using AI also helps educators differentiate their materials for different reading levels, languages, and other specific needs. This level of personalized teaching can be difficult to provide to large classrooms, but AI technology streamlines the process so that teachers can enhance their lessons. 

    Bridging the AI skills gap will empower educational institutions to better oversee faculty development, support community technical needs, and more. Auburn University is using AI tools to boost AI literacy and enhance the learning experience. The university is helping to shrink the gap by offering classes that cover practical AI applications in business and how to build AI-powered bots. Skills like analytical judgment, creative evaluation, intellectual curiosity, bias detection and handling, and AI delegation will be essential for future workers in education. 

    Explore these resources for more details about how AI can benefit students: 

    A woman raising her hand in a classroom

    Improving administrative efficiency in education

    Education leaders report feeling less prepared for AI-driven change than their peers in other industries, according to an IDC study. Often in education, decision-makers focus on the applications of AI for students and teachers, but AI-powered tools have wide applications for administrators and staff as well. 

    While educators are using generative AI to accelerate everything from creating course syllabi to writing lesson plans, administrators are finding AI equally valuable for office tasks, teacher development, and more. Education professionals can make faster data-based decisions, monitor student and teacher performance, and adjust curricula with ease. 

    Educational organizations can implement Copilot to help streamline research and administrative workflows, outline agendas, summarize internal reports, and draft announcements without interrupting their instruction. For example, the University of South Florida is using Copilot to improve operational efficiency and academic offerings. The university has sped up policy revisions, reducing the manual work needed for repetitive tasks and freeing up staff to work on creative projects and research. With Copilot, university staff can get questions answered instantly, organize thoughts, research specific topics, enhance messaging, and collaborate better across departments. 

    In addition, the university’s IT department used Copilot to expedite development of its own AI-powered solutions, such as an automatic ticket-classification system for IT support. This system removes a large source of manual work from the team, which no longer has to read and classify every ticket as it comes in. 

    Auburn University is showing how Copilot can help improve productivity for faculty members. “Our goal is to democratize the value of AI,” says John Davidson, Chief Technology Officer at Auburn University. “It’s about equipping our Auburn community with the ability to apply AI in creative and ethical ways, integrating it into our daily fabric.”  

    Miami Dade College is also implementing AI, using Copilot to personalize learning pathways for students. Copilot helps the college save time by assisting with student communication, monthly report creation, and instant feedback generation. “It’s going to become more ubiquitous in every area and aspect of what we do,” says Dr. James Thomas, Chair of the School of Business and Technology at Miami Dade College. 

    By automating repetitive tasks and offering intelligent insights, Copilot enables faculty at Miami Dade College to concentrate on their primary responsibilities: teaching and mentoring students. Check out the video below for their perspectives on how AI is revolutionizing the future of education. 

    Discover more resources for implementing AI in education: 

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    Supporting AI literacy among staff and students

    With support from AI technology, educational institutions can transform their operations to better support administrators, faculty, and students. The widespread adoption of AI is helping educators and organization leaders deliver richer, more personalized instruction to all students. At the same time, schools adopting AI are providing students with valuable expertise to prepare them for future careers where AI literacy will be a competitive advantage. 

    Take the first step toward transforming your organization to be more efficient, support faculty and administrators, and drive student success using AI. 

    Check out events, toolkits, and AI-powered teaching tools:

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  • Embracing a leadership role in the era of AI transformation

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    Generative AI is revolutionizing the modern workplace, driving innovation and efficiency in unexpected ways. While the journey into AI may seem overwhelming, the potential benefits are impressive. Many businesses are already enhancing their outcomes and gaining a competitive advantage with AI solutions. On average, organizations that embrace generative AI solutions realize a return of $3.70 for every $1 invested.

    Strong senior leadership is as crucial as the right technology for successful AI adoption. This blog shares insights from early AI adopters on how leaders using generative AI tools like Microsoft 365 Copilot are enhancing operational efficiency and fostering a culture of AI innovation.

    For a guide to how you can lead your organization’s AI transformation, explore our Leadership Strategies for AI Transformation: A business executive’s playbook.

    Building a future-ready organization

    In today’s rapidly evolving business landscape, a successful AI initiative starts with a clear strategy and roadmap. Business leaders should evaluate existing processes to identify where AI can have the most significant impact, considering both short-term wins and long-term gains. By aligning AI strategies with organizational priorities, leaders can unlock new opportunities and position their organizations to remain competitive in the digital age.

    AI is not just a tool but a strategic asset that can drive business outcomes, including increased revenue, reduced operational costs, and improved employee experience. AI can reinvent business processes, and enhance productivity while protecting data with secure, enterprise-ready solutions. By incorporating AI into daily workflows, organizations can streamline operations and foster a culture of continuous improvement. The era of AI is here, and business leaders must embrace this technology to drive innovation, agility, and success.

    Creating new operational efficiencies with AI

    Effectively incorporating AI often involves re-engineering business processes or adopting entirely new ones. Leaders who encourage curiosity and experimentation empower employees to develop innovative, AI-driven use cases. “We see AI as a really big thing that can transform our organization…in terms of operational efficiency,” says Eric Levin, Vice President, Data, AI, and Architecture at Xcel Energy. “We’re really leaning into Copilot specifically to help uncover some of those hidden gems organizationally.”

    Identifying pain points in existing processes can help employees evaluate how AI can simplify business operations. Even small steps such as AI-generated meeting and email summaries can introduce meaningful time savings across functions and roles. One of the biggest business values of AI is “in creating more options for users to automate their tasks and workflows…so they can focus on more critical aspects of their work,” says Carl Virtanen, Chief Technology Officer at University Health Network.

    Advancing responsible AI practices and continuous learning

    Transforming into an AI-powered organization begins with senior leaders who establish responsible AI guidelines that encourage innovation while safeguarding data. A solid foundation of data management practices helps build trust with customers and employees. Leaders play a pivotal role in communicating these guidelines and expectations for AI. “Put [in] the right guardrails so…people can be productive [and] use AI in a safe, trustworthy, and responsible way,” says Dux Raymond Sy, the Chief Brand Officer at AvePoint.

    Building on this foundation, leaders can cultivate a workplace environment where employees of all skill levels can flourish. While some employees will embrace AI solutions, having ongoing training and collaboration opportunities will help all employees harness the power of AI. For example, legal firm DLA Piper created a Microsoft Teams repository where employees could share best practices and prompts, and Insight Canada offered weekly office hours for collaboration.

    Executives who prioritize continuous learning set powerful examples, allowing employees to refine and develop important AI skills. Facilitating peer-to-peer learning opportunities empowers employees to improve prompt engineering and adopt new AI-powered processes. “Oftentimes when we think about technology, we think adoption is training and that’s it, it’s a one-time event,” says Sy. “But frankly, with an amazing technology [like] AI, it’s not a one-time event—the goal is to facilitate sustainable adoption.”

    Celebrating accomplishments on the AI journey

    Introducing any new technology in the workplace is a process, and leaders who embrace the unanticipated hurdles are best positioned to work through and overcome them. AI presents a unique learning curve, and focusing on progress instead of perfection can help leaders foster a sense of community and success within an organization.

    Recognizing AI “champions” and their accomplishments can inspire and encourage other employees who may feel uncertain about AI. “You have to celebrate people who are adopting AI and showcase their efforts,” says Hossein Nowbar, Chief Legal Officer at Microsoft. “We had early adopters of AI join me onstage during our department-wide summit to talk about how they are leveraging AI and the efficiencies they gained. This recognition inspires others to join the AI journey.”

    Thriving in the era of AI

    Unlocking the full potential of AI is helping organizations across industries thrive in an increasingly competitive landscape. Leaders who embrace the transformative power of AI can lead their organizations to achieve greater business outcomes, inspire employees to uncover new operational efficiencies, and foster a spirit of innovation in the workplace.

    “If you’re just beginning the journey, my advice would be simply step into it,” says Pentti Tofte, Senior Vice President, Innovation, Analytics and AI at FM. “There’s no better time than right now.”

    To learn more about leadership and AI transformation, please consider the following resources:

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  • Building a productive AI-powered workplace

    Building a productive AI-powered workplace

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    Generative AI has rapidly evolved from a technology with unknown possibilities into a true business differentiator. With its undeniable power to drive workforce productivity and creativity, many organizations are eager to unlock its full potential and drive positive business outcomes. Successful AI adoption requires aligning use cases with employee personas and implementing a strong change-management strategy. Incorporating AI in the workplace can increase revenue, drive productivity, enhance the employee experience, and create a better work-life balance. 

    Adopting AI and realizing business value

    Adopting AI at work is an effective way to power a modern workplace, but it requires a well-defined strategy that delivers value without excessive costs. Organizations must manage expenses as they uphold responsible practices and implement new ways of working. 

    Proving business value and return on investment (ROI) remains a top priority. In fact, Microsoft cross-industry roundtables with client executives revealed that 80% of customers are focused on innovation and transformation to maximize these outcomes. Companies are seeking adoption strategies that are anchored in implementing the principles of workforce change management and supporting employees in this new way of work. 

    A key driver behind the push to adopt AI is the desire to achieve a better balance between personal and professional lives. A recent Forrester Total Economic Impact study highlights the powerful combination of flexibility and customizability that an AI assistant can provide at work. The study shows how these AI capabilities can translate into tangible business outcomes: 

    • Top-line revenues increased by up to 4% 
    • Total expenditures decreased by up to 0.7% 
    • New-hire orientation times were reduced by up to 30%
    Source: Pg 3, New Technology: The Projected Total Economic Impact™ Of Microsoft Copilot For Microsoft 365

    By combining strategic insights with research-backed technologies, businesses can harness the power of AI to achieve measurable value. For example, the Forrester study shows that incorporating Microsoft Copilot can increase a company’s projected ROI from 112% to 457%. Additionally, AI can increase the projected net present value from $19 million to $77 million, adding substantial economic value. By simplifying how workers manage extensive data and tools, AI empowers businesses to unlock their full potential. Generative AI solutions like Microsoft Teams Premium and Microsoft Copilot for Microsoft 365 can help teams create, connect, and collaborate more effectively. 

    Innovating for success with AI

    Navigating the complexities of AI adoption requires more than just technology—it demands expertise and strategic insights. Drawing inspiration from successful AI implementations can provide the guidance needed to fully leverage AI’s potential.

    For example, organizations like Industrialized Construction Group (ICG), the University of South Florida (USF), and Insight Enterprises (Insight) are turning to AI to innovate within their respective industries. ICG is using Copilot for Microsoft 365 to reduce writing time for its staff by more than half. The company is streamlining the writing of emails, proposals, and meeting recaps, among other tasks. 

    Meanwhile, USF is using Copilot as a powerful assistant for academic and administrative staff. The university is automating repetitive tasks and using Copilot’s integration with other Microsoft solutions, including Microsoft Teams, to enhance messaging, perform research, and organize information. Insight is boosting efficiency across its organization by using Copilot to facilitate content creation and respond to customer requests for proposals in half the time. These and other AI-adoption success stories are a testament to the importance of a sound strategy and professional guidance.  

    These and other AI-adoption success stories are a testament to the importance of an adoption strategy that proactively identifies use cases by functional scenarios. Resources like the Copilot Success Kit and Scenario Library offer AI adoption process support, no matter where you are on your AI journey. 

    Empowering your organization’s AI revolution

    Today’s AI is a powerful force in business and is not a one-size-fits-all solution. Embrace the power of AI with confidence and revolutionize your business operations with a thoughtful, strategic transformation. 

    Learn more: 

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  • Microsoft launches a Pro plan for Copilot | TechCrunch

    Microsoft launches a Pro plan for Copilot | TechCrunch

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    Microsoft evidently envisions Copilot, the umbrella brand for its portfolio of AI-powered, content-generating technologies, becoming a significant future revenue line-item. And that’s perhaps not far off base; according to the company, more than 40% of the Fortune 100 participated in its Copilot early access program.

    But given the enormous cost of running GenAI models in the cloud, getting Copilot from expenditure to reliable revenue generator will require sustained — and large-scale, ideally — growth.

    Surely aware of this, Microsoft is today launching a consumer-focused paid Copilot plan and loosening the eligibility requirements for enterprise-level Copilot offerings. The goal, it appears, is to broaden the base of potential paying Copilot customers while making Microsoft’s existing services — namely Word, Excel and the other apps within the tech giant’s Microsoft 365 family — more attractive through AI features.

    Copilot Pro — the new consumer plan, priced at $20 per user per month — gives customers access to Copilot GenAI features across Word, Excel (in preview, only in English for now), PowerPoint, Outlook and OneNote on PC, Mac and iPad — if they have a Microsoft 365 Personal or Family plan, that is. Copilot Pro doesn’t come bundled with a Microsoft 365 subscription. As with the Copilot enterprise offering (Copilot for Microsoft 365), it’s a premium add-on — bringing the total cost of the lowest-tier Microsoft 365 subscription to $27 per month ($6.99 per month for Microsoft 365 Personal plus $20 for Copilot Pro).

    The Microsoft 365 capabilities in tow with Copilot Pro are the same that enterprise customers have had for a while.

    In Word and OneNote, Copilot writes, edits, summarizes and generates text. Copilot in Excel and PowerPoint turns natural language commands into designed presentations and data visualizations. And in Outlook, Copilot helps drafts email responses with toggles to adapt the length or tone.

    Beyond the Microsoft 365 upgrades, Copilot Pro subscribers get 100 “boosts” per day in Designer (formerly Bing Image Creator), Microsoft’s AI-powered image creation tool, to speed up the image generation process — plus improved generation quality and landscape formatting options. And they have priority access to the newest GenAI models underpinning Copilot, including OpenAI’s GPT-4 Turbo, for what Microsoft claims is better performance during peak times.

    In the future, Copilot Pro subscribers will be able to switch between models depending on their preferences and, if they require even greater customization, tap Microsoft’s forthcoming Copilot GPT Builder to create “Copilots” tailored for specific topics from sets of prompts.

    Copilot GPT Builder sounds suspiciously like OpenAI’s recently released GPT Builder for creating custom chatbots powered by OpenAI GenAI models. But one presumes that Copilot GPT Builder will come with Microsoft service- and app-specific integrations.

    Copilot for business

    As Microsoft rolls out a premium Copilot for consumers, it’s broadening the service’s business availability, as well.

    Starting today, Copilot is generally available for organizations subscribed to Microsoft 365 Business Premium, Microsoft 365 Business Standard, Microsoft 365 E3 and E5 or Office 365 E3 and Office E5. Previously, Copilot for Microsoft 365 had a 300-user minimum purchase and required a Microsoft 365 license, but both of those requirements have been done away with.

    There’s a few differences to note between Copilot for Microsoft 365 and Copilot Pro, the main one being Copilot in Teams. Enterprise Copilot customers — not consumers — get a “Copilot” in Teams that provides real-time summaries and action items, handling tasks such as identifying people for follow-ups and creating meeting agendas.

    The different Copilot plans, compared.

    In addition, Copilot for Microsoft 365 comes with what Microsoft describes as “enterprise-grade data protection” and the Semantic Index, a back-end system that creates a map of the data and content in an organization to allow Copilot to deliver ostensibly more personal and relevant responses.

    Copilot for Microsoft 365 customers can also access expanded customization options via Copilot Studio, a souped-up version of Copilot GPT Builder. Unveiled in November, Copilot Studio lets users build their own chatbots and plugins and conduct fine-tuning with first-party company data. 

    New free features

    Microsoft’s attention might be turning toward paid Copilot plans, but the company’s not completely neglecting free users.

    Today marks the launch of Copilot GPTs, which like OpenAI’s GPTs are tailored to topics of particular interest. A handful of Copilot GPTs rolled out this morning on the web client for Copilot, fine-tuned to answer questions about things like fitness, travel and cooking.

    A free mobile app for Copilot — with access to GPT-4, DALL-E 3 for image creation and the ability to use images on a phone while chatting with Copilot, as well as chat history syncing between mobile, PC and the web — is now live for Android and iOS. And Microsoft says that it’s adding Copilot to the Microsoft 365 mobile app for Android and iOS for users with a Microsoft account. Set to roll out over the coming month, the Microsoft 365 mobile app Copilot integration will let users export content created with Copilot to a Word or PDF document.

    Lastly, Microsoft says it’s expanding the number of languages Copilot supports. In the first half of 2024, Copilot will expand to Arabic, Czech, Danish, Dutch, Finnish, Hebrew, Hungarian, Korean, Norwegian, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Swedish, Thai, Turkish and Ukrainian.

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    Kyle Wiggers

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