Microsoft Innovation Podcast

Get featured on the show by leaving us a Voice Mail: https://bit.ly/MIPVM 🎙️ FULL SHOW NOTES https://www.microsoftinnovationpodcast.com/722 What happens when one person reimagines enterprise AI adoption from the ground up? In this episode, Cadie Kneip shares how she built Microsoft’s Copilot Champs community—an 8,000-strong grassroots movement—without a budget, formal mandate, or traditional training. Discover how she turned digital marketing tactics, gamification, and storytelling into a scalable model for human-first AI enablement. If you're leading tech transformation or struggling with adoption, this conversation is packed with practical inspiration. 🔑 KEY TAKEAWAYS - Peer influence scales faster than policy: Cadie reveals why authentic, peer-led storytelling drives deeper AI adoption than top-down training. - Gamification works—even without a budget: Learn how badges, leaderboards, and playful incentives created momentum across Microsoft. - Short-form content beats polished production: Bite-sized GIFs and clips proved more effective than high-production training videos in a fast-changing tech landscape. - Digital marketing tactics apply to enterprise learning: Cadie adapted campaign strategies to build a thriving internal community. - You don’t need a big team to make a big impact: With just one person and smart automation, Microsoft scaled Copilot readiness to thousands. 🧰 RESOURCES MENTIONED:👉Learn more about Microsoft’s Copilot Champs CommunityDriving Microsoft 365 Copilot Adoption with Our Copilot Champs CommunityReturn to Summer Camp: Making Microsoft 365 Copilot Fun with Camp CopilotUnlock your productivity: Here's our Top 10 tips for using Microsoft 365 Copilot every day👉 Clipchamp - https://www.clipchamp.com Microsoft 365 Copilot Adoption is a Microsoft Press book for leaders and consultants. It shows how to identify high-value use cases, set guardrails, enable champions, and measure impact, so Copilot sticks. Practical frameworks, checklists, and metrics you can use this month. Get the book: https://bit.ly/CopilotAdoptionSupport the showIf you want to get in touch with me, you can message me here on Linkedin.Thanks for listening 🚀 - Mark Smith

Get featured on the show by leaving us a Voice Mail: https://bit.ly/MIPVM 🎙️ FULL SHOW NOTES https://www.microsoftinnovationpodcast.com/721What happens when AI stops being hype and starts reshaping how professionals work? In this episode, Frank Falvey shares a front-line view of how Microsoft Copilot and AI agents are transforming real-world workflows—from coding and debugging to office productivity. Whether you're a developer, an information worker, or just trying to stay ahead of the curve, Frank offers practical insights into how AI is being adopted, what’s slowing it down, and how to future-proof your tech career.  🔑 KEY TAKEAWAYS - AI agents are evolving fast—but enterprise adoption remains cautious, with pilot projects leading the way. - Copilot is changing how developers code, debug, and ship software, with tools like GitHub Copilot streamlining workflows. - Information workers are starting to use AI tools, but licensing costs are a major barrier to widespread corporate rollout. - Keeping your skills sharp is essential, especially with foundational certifications like AI-900 becoming more relevant. - Junior tech roles may disappear, so alternative pathways and fast-track programs are key to building future senior professionals. 🧰 RESOURCES MENTIONED: 👉 GitHub Copilot – AI-powered coding assistant: https://github.com/features/copilot 👉 AI-900 Certification – Microsoft’s AI Fundamentals exam: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/certifications/ai-fundamentals/ 👉 Microsoft Learn – Free training platform with practice exams: https://learn.microsoft.com 👉 StreamYard – Live streaming platform used for Frank’s Azure & AI Show: https://streamyard.com 👉 Microsoft MVP YouTube Series - How to Become a Microsoft MVP - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLzf0yupPbVkqdRJDPVE4PtTlm6quDhiu7 Support the showIf you want to get in touch with me, you can message me here on Linkedin.Thanks for listening 🚀 - Mark Smith

Get featured on the show by leaving us a Voice Mail: https://bit.ly/MIPVM 🎙️ FULL SHOW NOTES https://www.microsoftinnovationpodcast.com/720What happens when a platform known for low-code simplicity powers mission-critical systems for governments and global banks? In this episode, solution architect Eric Regnier shares firsthand insights from mega-scale Power Platform implementations across continents. From passport systems to banking infrastructure, Eric reveals how the platform is quietly redefining enterprise-grade technology—and why many architects are still missing the memo. 🔑 KEY TAKEAWAYS - Power Platform is powering global-scale systems — including national passport services and major banking operations, proving its enterprise-grade capabilities. - Enterprise architects often misjudge low-code tools — due to Microsoft’s positioning, many overlook the platform’s robustness and scalability. - Strategic platform decisions favor Microsoft ecosystems — organizations already invested in Azure and Microsoft 365 benefit from tighter integration and cost efficiency. - Salesforce is a frequent competitor — but Power Platform often wins due to flexibility, speed, and alignment with existing infrastructure. - Generative AI is on the horizon — while not yet widely adopted in production, its potential to reshape solution development is significant. 🧰RESOURCES MENTIONED: 👉 Microsoft Power Platform – https://powerplatform.microsoft.comMicrosoft 365 Copilot Adoption is a Microsoft Press book for leaders and consultants. It shows how to identify high-value use cases, set guardrails, enable champions, and measure impact, so Copilot sticks. Practical frameworks, checklists, and metrics you can use this month. Get the book: https://bit.ly/CopilotAdoptionSupport the showIf you want to get in touch with me, you can message me here on Linkedin.Thanks for listening 🚀 - Mark Smith

Get featured on the show by leaving us a Voice Mail: https://bit.ly/MIPVM 🎙️ FULL SHOW NOTES https://www.microsoftinnovationpodcast.com/719 What happens when AI tools like Microsoft Copilot don’t live up to the hype? Fabio Bonolo has made it his mission to turn that disappointment into transformation. In this episode, he shares how companies can move from confusion to clarity—by structuring their Microsoft 365 environments, embracing strategic adoption, and unlocking real productivity with AI. Whether you're leading change or navigating it, this conversation offers practical insights into making Copilot work for your business.  🔑 KEY TAKEAWAYS - Copilot is not autopilot: Success with AI requires human input, clear prompting, and realistic expectations. - Strategic adoption beats technical deployment: Copilot projects thrive when treated as business transformation, not just IT rollouts. - Compliance is critical: Tools like Microsoft Purview help organizations audit AI usage and protect sensitive data. - Copilot drives better M365 architecture: The push to adopt AI is forcing companies to rethink permissions, governance, and collaboration models. - PowerPoint’s hidden AI features: Connecting Copilot with the Organization Asset Library unlocks dynamic, brand-consistent presentations. 🧰 RESOURCES MENTIONED: 👉 Microsoft Copilot – https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-copilot 👉 Microsoft Purview – https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/security/business/compliance/microsoft-purview 👉 EU AI Act – https://artificialintelligenceact.eu 👉 Copilot Studio & Agents – https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/copilot-studio 👉 Microsoft MVP YouTube Series – How to Become a Microsoft MVP - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLzf0yupPbVkqdRJDPVE4PtTlm6quDhiu7 Microsoft 365 Copilot Adoption is a Microsoft Press book for leaders and consultants. It shows how to identify high-value use cases, set guardrails, enable champions, and measure impact, so Copilot sticks. Practical frameworks, checklists, and metrics you can use this month. Get the book: https://bit.ly/CopilotAdoptionSupport the showIf you want to get in touch with me, you can message me here on Linkedin.Thanks for listening 🚀 - Mark Smith

Get featured on the show by leaving us a Voice Mail: https://bit.ly/MIPVM 🎙️ FULL SHOW NOTES https://www.microsoftinnovationpodcast.com/718 What happens when global policymakers, technologists, and lawyers converge to shape the future of AI? In this episode, Andrew Welch shares insights from the UN’s AI for Good Summit in Geneva, where 15,000 thought leaders tackled the ethical, legal, and cultural challenges of artificial intelligence. From the EU AI Act to the dominance of English in training data, this conversation explores how regulation can drive—not hinder—innovation, and why trust in AI starts with understanding its global impact. 🔑 KEY TAKEAWAYS - AI regulation isn’t a blocker—it’s a catalyst for innovation. Like electricity, AI needs guardrails to scale safely and effectively. - Law and tech must collaborate from the start. The EU AI Act is reshaping how companies approach compliance, ethics, and product development. - Global AI capacity is dangerously concentrated. 90% of AI infrastructure is controlled by just two countries, raising sovereignty concerns. - Language bias in AI is real and consequential. With 50% of the internet in English, cultural perspectives risk being lost in model training. - Open-source AI tools empower—but also endanger. Democratized access means individuals can build powerful systems, for better or worse.  🧰 RESOURCES MENTIONED: 👉 AI for Good Global Summit – https://aiforgood.itu.int 👉 EU AI Act Overview – https://artificialintelligenceact.eu 👉 Centre for Trustworthy AI (Microsoft) – No direct URL mentioned, but referenced throughout Book: Calling Bullsht: The Art of Skepticism in a Data-Driven World* – by Carl T. Bergstrom and Jevin D. West 👉 Song: “Boy in the Bubble” by Paul Simon – Inspiration for Andrew’s upcoming article Microsoft 365 Copilot Adoption is a Microsoft Press book for leaders and consultants. It shows how to identify high-value use cases, set guardrails, enable champions, and measure impact, so Copilot sticks. Practical frameworks, checklists, and metrics you can use this month. Get the book: https://bit.ly/CopilotAdoptionSupport the showIf you want to get in touch with me, you can message me here on Linkedin.Thanks for listening 🚀 - Mark Smith

Get featured on the show by leaving us a Voice Mail: https://bit.ly/MIPVM 🎙️ FULL SHOW NOTES https://www.microsoftinnovationpodcast.com/717What if your AI agent could not only retrieve facts but reason with them—just like a human? In this episode, Farzad Sunavala, Principal Product Manager at Microsoft, takes us inside the world of Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG), the architecture powering the next wave of intelligent agents. From solving hallucinations to building memory into AI systems, Farzad shares practical insights for professionals looking to build scalable, high-quality AI solutions that actually work in the real world.  🔑 KEY TAKEAWAYS - RAG is foundational for AI agents: Retrieval-Augmented Generation solves key limitations of LLMs by grounding them in real-time, private data. - Metadata is your best friend: Rich metadata and filtering techniques dramatically improve retrieval quality and reduce noise in enterprise AI systems. - Memory is the next frontier: Embedding memory into agents—via tools like Semantic Kernel—enables learning, unlearning, and contextual recall. - AI engineering is evolving fast: Developers must move beyond conventional software practices and embrace ML Ops, vector databases, and open-source frameworks. - Start small, iterate smart: Building ground-truth datasets and synthetic Q&A pairs is a high-ROI strategy for evaluating and improving AI agent performance. 🧰 RESOURCES MENTIONED: 👉 Azure AI - https://ai.azure.com/ 👉 Azure AI Search – https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/search/search-what-is-azure-search or https://azure.microsoft.com/en-us/products/ai-services/ai-search/ 👉 Microsoft Fabric – https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-fabric 👉 Semantic Kernel (Open Source) – https://github.com/microsoft/semantic-kernel 👉 LangChain – https://www.langchain.com/ 👉 LlamaIndex – https://www.llamaindex.ai/ 👉 CrewAI – https://www.crewai.com/ Microsoft 365 Copilot Adoption is a Microsoft Press book for leaders and consultants. It shows how to identify high-value use cases, set guardrails, enable champions, and measure impact, so Copilot sticks. Practical frameworks, checklists, and metrics you can use this month. Get the book: https://bit.ly/CopilotAdoptionSupport the showIf you want to get in touch with me, you can message me here on Linkedin.Thanks for listening 🚀 - Mark Smith

Get featured on the show by leaving us a Voice Mail: https://bit.ly/MIPVM 🎙️ FULL SHOW NOTES https://www.microsoftinnovationpodcast.com/716What if your company’s AI journey didn’t start with data or tech—but with vision? In this episode, Erik David Johnson, Chief AI Officer at Delegate, shares how he’s helping organizations across Europe move from AI curiosity to concrete, production-ready solutions. With over 5,000 professionals trained and a hands-on workshop model that’s reshaping how businesses think about AI, Erik offers a rare blend of technical depth, strategic clarity, and regulatory insight. Whether you're building your first AI use case or navigating the EU AI Act, this conversation is packed with practical wisdom.  🔑 KEY TAKEAWAYS - AI Strategy Starts with Vision, Not Data: Erik emphasizes that companies should define where they want to go before looking at the data they have—flipping the common “data-first” approach on its head.- The 3-Day AI Ideation Workshop: A structured yet flexible sprint that helps organizations identify, qualify, and prioritize AI use cases—culminating in a roadmap and candidate architecture.- Avoiding the “Tech-First” Trap: Erik warns against jumping straight to tools like ChatGPT or Azure AI without first addressing organizational, cultural, and user adoption barriers. - AI Literacy is a Legal Requirement: Under the EU AI Act, companies must educate staff on AI. Erik shares how he's helping organizations meet this challenge through hands-on training and advisory roles. - Legal and Regulatory Readiness: From advising Danish politicians to shaping national AI policy, Erik offers a unique perspective on how legal frameworks like the EU AI Act and ISO 42001 are reshaping the AI landscape. 🧰 RESOURCES MENTIONED: 👉 Delegate’s 3-Day AI Ideation Workshop – https://delegate.dk 👉 EU AI Act – https://artificialintelligenceact.eu 👉 ISO/IEC 42001 (AI Management Systems) – https://www.iso.org/standard/81230.html 👉 Erik’s Research and Writings – Available via his Computerworld Denmark column 👉 Microsoft MVP YouTube Series - How to Become a Microsoft MVP - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLzf0yupPbVkqdRJDPVE4PtTlm6quDhiu7 Microsoft 365 Copilot Adoption is a Microsoft Press book for leaders and consultants. It shows how to identify high-value use cases, set guardrails, enable champions, and measure impact, so Copilot sticks. Practical frameworks, checklists, and metrics you can use this month. Get the book: https://bit.ly/CopilotAdoptionSupport the showIf you want to get in touch with me, you can message me here on Linkedin.Thanks for listening 🚀 - Mark Smith

Get featured on the show by leaving us a Voice Mail: https://bit.ly/MIPVM 🎙FULL SHOW NOTES https://www.microsoftinnovationpodcast.com/715What happens when a mobile app becomes the only tool a field worker has to do their job—no manuals, no backup, just the device? In this episode, Jakub Bajla shares lessons from years of building mobile-first solutions for frontline workers. From offline-first design to modular tools like Forms+, Docs+, and Steps+, Jakub explores what it takes to deliver tech that performs in the toughest environments. Whether you're designing for remote teams, field service, or mission-critical operations, this episode is a masterclass in building for reliability, usability, and scale. 🔑 KEY TAKEAWAYS - ffline-first design is critical for field operations where connectivity is unreliable—Resco’s mobile solutions thrive in these environments. - Resco’s evolution mirrors the Power Platform’s growth, transitioning from Dynamics-focused mobility to modular components for broader use cases. - Forms+, Docs+, and Steps+ are powerful tools extracted from Resco’s platform, now available as standalone solutions for dynamic forms, PDF generation, and field knowledge sharing.  - ISV partnerships with Microsoft are complex, often misunderstood, and require strategic clarity to navigate shifting structures and limited support.  🧰 RESOURCES MENTIONED 👉Resco – https://www.resco.net 👉 Microsoft Power Platform – https://powerplatform.microsoft.com 👉 Forms+, Docs+, Steps+ by Resco – Available via Resco’s Power Platform offerings Note: Since the recording of this episode, there have been leadership changes at Resco, and the PCF component strategy discussed is no longer active. The conversation remains valuable for its broader insights into mobile-first design and field technology. For the latest updates, please check Resco’s official website. Microsoft 365 Copilot Adoption is a Microsoft Press book for leaders and consultants. It shows how to identify high-value use cases, set guardrails, enable champions, and measure impact, so Copilot sticks. Practical frameworks, checklists, and metrics you can use this month. Get the book: https://bit.ly/CopilotAdoptionSupport the showIf you want to get in touch with me, you can message me here on Linkedin.Thanks for listening 🚀 - Mark Smith

Get featured on the show by leaving us a Voice Mail: https://bit.ly/MIPVM 🎙️ FULL SHOW NOTES https://www.microsoftinnovationpodcast.com/714What if mastering Excel could unlock superhuman productivity? In this episode, Aleksandar Grasic—founder of Outliers and a three-time Microsoft MVP—shares how he helped over 300,000 professionals transform their workflows using AI-powered tools and structured data literacy. From slashing 8-hour tasks to 1-hour wins, Aleksandar reveals how combining Excel, Power BI, and Copilot can revolutionize how we work. Whether you're a tech leader or a data enthusiast, this conversation offers a roadmap to smarter, faster decision-making in the age of AI.  🔑 KEY TAKEAWAYS Excel is still a powerhouse: Aleksandar explains how structured learning and tools like Power Query and Power Pivot can dramatically reduce time spent on data tasks. AI as a productivity partner: Tools like Copilot and ChatGPT should be used to enhance—not replace—human expertise, especially in presentation and data analysis workflows. Data literacy is essential: Increasing data literacy by even 30% across teams can significantly improve decision-making and adaptability in AI-driven environments. Localized impact, global relevance: Outliers has educated over 300,000 professionals in the Balkan region, proving that regional language content can drive massive engagement. Bridging users and developers: Aleksandar acts as a feedback conduit between Microsoft’s development teams and real-world users, influencing tools like Copilot in Word and Excel. 🧰 RESOURCES MENTIONED: 👉 Outliers Education Platform – https://outliers.rs 👉 Microsoft MVP Program – https://mvp.microsoft.com 👉 Microsoft Copilot – https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/copilot 👉 Power BI – https://powerbi.microsoft.com 👉 Power Query & Power Pivot in Excel – https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/excel 👉Microsoft MVP YouTube Series - How to Become a Microsoft MVP - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLzf0yupPbVkqdRJDPVE4PtTlm6quDhiu7 Microsoft 365 Copilot Adoption is a Microsoft Press book for leaders and consultants. It shows how to identify high-value use cases, set guardrails, enable champions, and measure impact, so Copilot sticks. Practical frameworks, checklists, and metrics you can use this month. Get the book: https://bit.ly/CopilotAdoptionSupport the showIf you want to get in touch with me, you can message me here on Linkedin.Thanks for listening 🚀 - Mark Smith

Get featured on the show by leaving us a Voice Mail: https://bit.ly/MIPVM 🎙️ FULL SHOW NOTES https://www.microsoftinnovationpodcast.com/713 What happens when agile breaks down and AI steps in? In this episode, the hosts explore how traditional delivery models are being replaced by high-impact lab cycles, where elite engineering teams solve complex problems in just two weeks. From modernizing legacy systems to navigating the rise of autonomous developers, this conversation dives deep into the evolving tech landscape—and how AI is reshaping productivity, pricing models, and the future of work. 🔑 KEY TAKEAWAYS - Lab Cycles vs. Agile: Agile is losing effectiveness in enterprise environments. Lab cycles offer a faster, outcome-driven alternative with production-ready results in two weeks. - AI in App Modernization: AI is now capable of refactoring legacy codebases, even without full documentation—opening doors to modernizing systems like COBOL. - M365 Copilot in Action: Real-world use cases show how Copilot dramatically reduces proposal creation time while improving accuracy and collaboration. - The Rise of Autonomous Developers: Top-tier engineers are expected to own the full product lifecycle—from ideation to pricing—driven by soft skills and strategic thinking. - AI’s Impact on Pricing Models: Professional services are rethinking pricing as AI slashes delivery time, creating new revenue opportunities and client value. 🧰 RESOURCES MENTIONED: 👉 Microsoft Power Platform – https://powerplatform.microsoft.com 👉 M365 Copilot – https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/copilot 👉 Microsoft Graph – https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/graph/overview 👉 AI for Good Conference – https://aiforgood.itu.int  Microsoft 365 Copilot Adoption is a Microsoft Press book for leaders and consultants. It shows how to identify high-value use cases, set guardrails, enable champions, and measure impact, so Copilot sticks. Practical frameworks, checklists, and metrics you can use this month. Get the book: https://bit.ly/CopilotAdoptionSupport the showIf you want to get in touch with me, you can message me here on Linkedin.Thanks for listening 🚀 - Mark Smith