Copilot: how to purchase, use, adopt, go beyond

Recently, I had the pleasure of joining Rory de Goede on his Dynamics Compass podcast to discuss Microsoft's Copilot products and the broader implications of AI in business scenarios. As always, I aim to cut through the hype and get to the practical use cases of technology - analyzing both their possibilities and problems. This conversation was no different.

Below are some of the key topics & takeaways from our discussion.

The wonderful world of Copilot licensing & branding

We first tackled the confusing landscape of Copilot products and licensing. Microsoft has a habit of using a single brand name for multiple products, because why not? For instance, there is no standalone "Copilot for Dynamics 365" license, like there is “Copilot for Microsoft 365”. Various Copilot functionalities are integrated into different applications, sometimes requiring a separate license.

I introduced my quick rule of thumb for Copilot branding. If it’s “Copilot for X” it’s a standalone product with its own license. If it’s “Copilot in X” it’s a feature within an existing product that may or may not require an additional license.

User Adoption and Real-World Use Cases

A significant part of our discussion focused on user adoption and the practical integration of AI tools like Copilot. Many organizations approach AI as a solution in search of a problem, driven by the excitement generated by the “iPhone moment” of AI (read: ChatGPT). However, to truly benefit from AI, businesses need to identify specific problems that generative AI can solve more efficiently and reliably than current methods. Right now, many tech vendors are all too happy just sprinkling a little AI magic dust everywhere to create shiny features instead of tackling the hard problems.

For example, in sales, Copilot functionalities could support employees by automating routine tasks and providing insights that help close deals faster. But it’s crucial that these tools are integrated in a way that aligns with the unique workflows of each business. Rather than expecting that features like the copilotization of CRM will on their own deliver a big enough impact to warrant all the fuss.

Management Strategies for AI Adoption

From a management perspective, encouraging a culture of experimentation is key. Trust your employees to find ways AI can make their work more efficient. Management should facilitate this by creating environments where IT and business teams collaborate closely, developing and testing new Copilot functionalities together.

This bottom-up approach is more likely to result in meaningful and sustainable adoption of AI tools. It is very similar to the citizen developer movement that low-code technologies like the Power Platform have brought into mainstream in recent years. You shouldn’t treat them any differently. Be it apps, analytics, automation, AI - all these are a natural part of the new business technology stack that is far too crucial to be left for external vendors to manage.

The Future of Work with AI

We also touched on the broader impact of AI on jobs. While it’s true that AI will automate certain tasks, it will also create new opportunities. For instance, my own professional journey from a CRM consultant to a Power Platform advisor has been shaped by continuously adapting to recent technologies. The same will be true for those willing to explore AI and leverage it to proactively enhance their work roles.

The analogy I used during the podcast is that generative AI tools are like a calculator for words. Just as calculators didn’t make math skills obsolete but rather enhanced them, AI tools will enhance our capabilities with language and other tasks. Just because this new GenAI calculator speaks in words instead of numbers, that doesn’t mean it can assume the responsibility that human employees have at work. But everyone will always have that calculator available, so better get used to its presence.

Preparing for the AI Revolution

For those worried about AI making their roles redundant, my advice is to stay curious and keep experimenting with these tools. Don’t just treat Copilots like a new type of search engine. Instead, engage with AI as a coach or a virtual colleague to explore new perspectives and develop skills in unfamiliar areas.

This proactive approach will help you stay ahead of the curve and turn potential disruptions into opportunities. Still, don’t forget that when it comes to new and ever-expanding technologies like this, everyone is just faking it. Don’t stress too much about knowing all the answers, instead use the networks around you as the “community copilot” that can guide you towards the right direction.

Full episode links

Before you go on your way, I have just one poll question for you to click on:

Webcast video on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Teg2w1H1svk

Podcast audio on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/58ql54b73atg36QYnEOD8F?si=h3ROqP15TIqayekw2vgoCA