Insights from our recent webcast about using Microsoft 365 + AI to improve efficiencies, capabilities, and productivity.
Digital workspaces are shaping today’s professional landscape. And artificial intelligence has become a game-changer, offering new ways to enhance your virtual environment. To explore that topic, F12’s Virtual Chief Information Officer, Brandon Peters, sat down with F12 Managing Partner Michael Contento and Estyn Edwards, partner at Punchcard Systems. They discuss the various ways of using Microsoft 365’s AI features to achieve greater efficiency and performance.
Scroll down to the bottom of the page to watch the entire webcast.
Webcast Insights: Using Microsoft 365’s AI Features to Improve Efficiencies + Productivity
What is the digital workspace?
Brandon asks Michael to explain the concept of a digital workspace at [3:55]. “I work from home—does that mean I’m in a digital workspace?” Well, yes and no, the experts say.
“[The digital workspace] is already at your fingertips—90% of our clients already have this!” Michael explains at [5:04]. The average remote worker has a digital workspace; they just need to be shown how to unlock its potential.
At [5:44], Estyn shares that last year, Microsoft did a survey and found that only 12% of all Microsoft users were using the technology they paid for.
What’s the difference between automation and automation with AI
At [13:08], Estyn explains that most automation is “low-hanging fruit”—and what you think you need AI to accomplish you can actually do with Microsoft 365.
Estyn shares that “one of the biggest risks with AI is bad data.” At [15:43], he explains that all artificial intelligence that exists today is biased by their very nature. To mitigate some of these biases when working with AI, Estyn suggests, your prompts need to counteract these biases.
Does your company have an AI policy?
Having an AI policy is crucial. Estyn explains at [21:00] that an AI policy “doesn’t need to be super complicated, it doesn’t need to be too much.” But to combat some of the risks associated with AI, like cybersecurity issues, an AI policy is beneficial for any company.
Will AI reduce employment—or will it empower certain roles?
At [37:14], Michael discusses AI’s effect on employment. “I think [AI is] going to empower people […] to accelerate and get more of a mainstream role.” Michael’s opinion is that AI in itself won’t necessarily reduce roles, but rather empower people to grow.
Avoid oversharing with AI to reduce cybersecurity concerns and risks
Having a consistent file-sharing policy is paramount, Estyn discusses at [40:50]. “If your security is set up properly, AI will respect that,” he says in regards to keeping your assets safe and cybersecure.
Keeping costs in mind, Brandon and Estyn discuss the economical implications of using an AI model like ChatGPT (cheaper, easily accessed) versus Microsoft’s Copilot at [42:40]. Estyn explains how ChatGPT might be just what your employees need—but not if they’re accessing any internal company data.
Does your company use Microsoft 365 for workflow operations? Make sure you’re using more than 12% of its possibilities—contact us today to learn how to unlock the inherent potential in Microsoft 365’s AI features.
