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/702 What if the future of AI isn’t bigger—but smaller, smarter, and more specialized? In this episode, Microsoft’s Ilya Venger pulls back the curtain on the rise of small language models (SLMs), the evolution of intelligent agents, and why clean, governed data is the real fuel behind AI success. From industry-specific copilots to the power of Microsoft Fabric, this conversation is packed with practical insights for business and tech leaders navigating the AI revolution.  🔑 KEY TAKEAWAYS SLMs vs. LLMs: Small language models are leaner, more efficient, and better suited for domain-specific tasks—offering lower hallucination rates and higher cost-performance ratios. Data Quality Matters: AI is only as good as the data it’s trained on. Microsoft Fabric and Purview help unify, clean, and govern enterprise data for more reliable AI outcomes.  Industry Agents Are Coming: Microsoft is enabling partners to build industry-specific agents—like healthcare assistants or retail copilots—using modular skills and tools. Copilot Studio’s Role: This low-code platform empowers teams to build, test, and deploy AI agents across Teams, Slack, and custom environments. The Future of AI Interfaces: Expect dynamic, on-the-fly UI generation tailored to user intent—blending visual and conversational interfaces for seamless interaction. 🧰 RESOURCES MENTIONED 👉Microsoft Fabric – Unified data platform for analytics and governance https://www.microsoft.com/fabric\ 👉 Microsoft Purview – Data governance and cataloguing solution https://www.microsoft.com/purview 👉Azure Marketplace – Access to industry-specific AI skills like financial document analysis https://azuremarketplace.microsoft.com 👉 Copilot Studio – Low-code platform for building and deploying AI agents https://aka.ms/CopilotStudio 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/701What happens when AI meets the messy, human world of organizational knowledge? In this episode, Rebecka Isaksson—Microsoft MVP and knowledge management strategist—unpacks how AI can finally unlock the elusive value of tacit knowledge. From SharePoint sprawl to the power of communities of practice, Rebecka shares hard-won insights on transforming content chaos into enterprise intelligence. Whether you're navigating Microsoft 365 or scaling AI in your organization, this conversation will change how you think about knowledge, governance, and impact.  🔑KEY TAKEAWAYS AI needs knowledge management: Without governance and lifecycle thinking, AI can’t deliver sustainable value in enterprise environments. Tacit knowledge is the real gold: AI tools like Microsoft Copilot can now surface insights from informal conversations, chats, and communities—not just documents. SharePoint’s hidden risks: Without role-based access control (RBAC), SharePoint can become a security and governance liability in AI-driven organizations. Communities of practice scale expertise: Platforms like Microsoft Engage (not just Yammer) are critical for capturing and sharing real-time, experience-based knowledge. Governance must evolve: Organizations need to move from content management to true knowledge management—governing not just files, but conversations, videos, and more.  🧰 RESOURCES MENTIONED 👉 Microsoft 365 Copilot – AI-powered productivity assistant: https://www.microsoft.com/en-ca/microsoft-365/copilot 👉 Knowledge Fika - https://open.spotify.com/show/0X7STHKKiIEEj1nrd9hvQa?si=d6fd17b395f749ec👉 Microsoft MVP YouTube Series - How to Become a Microsoft MVP - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLzf0yupPbVkqdRJDPVE4PtTlm6quDhiu7Microsoft 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

Dive into the dynamic world of AI as hosts explore three distinct mindsets: the Optimists, Deniers, and the Angry Camp. Unravel the concept of 'vibe coding' and how AI tools like GitHub Copilot are transforming software development. Hear about creating a personal AI-powered second brain to manage your knowledge. The discussion also draws a fascinating analogy between early web development tools and today’s AI-assisted platforms, emphasizing the importance of mastering seemingly simple tools for long-term success.

Get featured on the show by leaving us a Voice Mail: https://bit.ly/MIPVM 🎙FULL SHOW NOTES https://www.microsoftinnovationpodcast.com/699 What if the key to unlocking AI’s full potential isn’t more algorithms—but better data? In this episode, Harley Webster, founder of Amagi and Power BI lead, shares how his journey from geologist to data strategist shaped his obsession with clean, actionable data. From managing petabytes of oilfield data in Qatar to helping modern businesses unify fragmented systems, Harley reveals why data quality is the real foundation of AI success—and how Microsoft Fabric is changing the game. If you're navigating the intersection of business, AI, and data engineering, this conversation is a must-listen. 🔑KEY TAKEAWAYS Data Quality is Non-Negotiable for AI: Harley emphasizes that without clean, governed, and well-modeled data, AI outputs are unreliable—no matter how advanced the model. Microsoft Fabric is a Game-Changer: Fabric’s unified platform simplifies data engineering, enabling real-time pipelines, medallion architecture (bronze, silver, gold layers), and seamless integration with Power BI. Start with Business Outcomes, Not Data Inventory: Harley’s approach is to define the top KPIs first, then trace back to the data sources—ensuring focus and ROI from day one. Common Language is Critical in M&A: When merging data from different systems or companies, aligning terminology and definitions is essential to avoid misinterpretation and ensure accurate reporting. ROI from Data Projects is Tangible: From automating manual reporting to protecting market share, Harley outlines how to quantify the business value of data initiatives—even in complex environments. 🧰 RESOURCES MENTIONED  👉 Microsoft Fabric – Unified data platform for engineering, analytics, and visualization: https://fabric.microsoft.com 👉 Power BI – Business intelligence and data visualization tool: https://powerbi.microsoft.com 👉 Dataflow Gen2 – Web-based data transformation tool in Microsoft Fabric  👉 `Natasha’s Foundation – UK charity supporting food allergy awareness: https://www.narf.org.uk 👉 VWS Software – Waste management software provider in the UK: https://www.vwssoftware.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/698 What happens when a cloud architect dives headfirst into the evolving world of AI and becomes one of the earliest adopters of Microsoft Copilot in Europe? In this episode, Daniel Rohregger shares how he turned early access into real-world impact—running transformative workshops, challenging AI limitations, and building multilingual agents for legacy industries. Whether you're leading digital transformation or just trying to keep up with Copilot’s rapid evolution, this conversation is packed with insights that will sharpen your strategy and expand your toolkit. 🔑 Key Takeaways How to Run Effective Copilot Workshops: Daniel breaks down his approach to correcting misconceptions, tailoring demos to business roles, and aligning AI with compliance needs. The Power of Multilingual AI Agents: Learn how legacy manufacturing teams are using Copilot to bridge language gaps and preserve expert knowledge. Why Responsible AI Matters: A candid look at the trade-offs between user empowerment and ethical safeguards in enterprise AI. What’s Coming in Copilot Wave 2: Daniel shares what features he’s most excited about, including GPT-4o image generation and the new “Create” experience. Pro Tips for Power Users: From prompt engineering to backend transparency, hear what advanced users wish Copilot would let them control. 🧰 Resources Mentioned 👉 Microsoft Copilot – https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-copilot 👉 Microsoft Forms with Copilot – https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/forms 👉 Azure AI Speech Services – https://azure.microsoft.com/en-us/products/cognitive-services/speech-services/ 👉 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/697   What if you could prevent most software project failures before they even begin? In this episode, we dive into the origins and evolution of Microsoft’s FastTrack program and the Success by Design framework—a powerful approach that’s transforming how enterprise tech projects are delivered. Pedro Sacramento and Alok Singh, two principal program managers at Microsoft, share how a simple spreadsheet of lessons learned became a global standard for cloud implementation success. Whether you're leading a project or scaling a practice, this conversation is packed with insights to help you build smarter, faster, and with confidence.🔑KEY TAKEAWAYS80% of project issues are preventable: Most failures stem from misalignment early in the project lifecycle—Success by Design addresses this head-onEarly engagement is critical: Projects that adopt the framework early see 2.2x higher user adoption and fewer escalations.From firefighting to foresight: FastTrack evolved from solving crises to proactively guiding success through repeatable patterns and best practices.Scalable success through partners: With over 120 partners trained, Microsoft has extended its reach to thousands of projects globally.Recognition that matters: The FastTrack Recognized Solution Architect designation is earned through real-world impact—not theory.🧰 RESOURCES MENTIONED👉About Microsoft FastTrack for Dynamics 365 - Dynamics 365 | Microsoft Learn 👉https://aka.ms/D365FastTrackPortfolioPartners 👉What is the Dynamics 365 Implementation Portal? - Dynamics 365 | Microsoft Learn 👉What is the Dynamics 365 implementation guide? - Dynamics 365 | Microsoft LearnMicrosoft 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/696  When AI stops being a buzzword and starts saving you 15 hours a month, something shifts. In this episode, Microsoft MVP and Practice Director Chris Hinch shares how he turned curiosity into capability—leading Copilot enablement across his organization and beyond. From overcoming AI skepticism to building secure, scalable adoption strategies, Chris reveals how professionals can move from survival mode to thriving with AI. If you're navigating the fast-changing world of enterprise tech, this conversation is your roadmap to real-world impact.  🔑KEYTAKEAWAYS AI is only valuable when it solves real problems—don’t deploy it for hype’s sake. Copilot can reclaim hours of productivity by streamlining tasks like email, meetings, and presentations.  Security and data protection are critical to building trust in AI adoption.  Enablement starts with empathy—showing small, iterative wins builds momentum.  “Surviving to thriving” is the new productivity metric—AI should help you finish work, not just do more of it. 🧰 RESOURCES MENTIONED: 👉 Microsoft Copilot – AI assistant integrated across M365 - https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-copilot 👉 Copilot Notebooks - A new way to work with persistent context in AI - https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/topic/get-started-with-microsoft-365-copilot-notebooks-0775e693-11c6-4d80-8aba-fcc81a737a06  👉 Microsoft MVP YouTube Series - How to Become a Microsoft MVP -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/695 Imagine navigating a multi-million-pound business acquisition without flipping through a 700-page PDF. In this episode, Ian Fishwick, a veteran of 43 tech M&As, and Sam Godfrey, Director at Evolution Capital, reveal how they’re transforming the financial due diligence process using Microsoft Power BI. From real-time insights to interactive dashboards, they share how data visualization and automation are reshaping how deals are evaluated, negotiated, and closed. Whether you're buying, selling, or advising, this conversation offers a masterclass in using technology to make smarter, faster decisions. 🔑KEY TAKEAWAYS Power BI is replacing static PDFs in M&A: Interactive dashboards allow buyers to ask real-time questions of the data, eliminating the need to sift through hundreds of pages.  Granular transaction-level analysis: By mapping raw financial data directly into custom charts of accounts, buyers gain a clearer, unbiased view of a target company’s performance.  Speed and efficiency gains: API integrations and automated updates mean due diligence can be completed in weeks, not months—crucial for both buyers and sellers. Trust through transparency: Sellers who provide access to raw data build credibility, while buyers gain confidence in the integrity of the deal. Portfolio-level decision-making: Serial acquirers can now overlay multiple acquisition targets onto their own financials to assess strategic fit and impact. 🧰 RESOURCES MENTIONED 👉 Microsoft Power BI – https://powerbi.microsoft.com/ 👉Power Query & Power Pivot – Built-in tools within Excel and Power BI for data transformation and modeling. 👉 Evolution Capital – https://www.evolutioncapital.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/694What happens when a failed attempt at a cleaning job leads to a lifelong career in tech? Aki Antman, President of AI and Copilot at Digital Neighborhood, shares his remarkable journey from teenage coder to AI leader. In this episode, Aki unpacks how organizations—from European enterprises to the Abu Dhabi government—are embracing AI, and why hands-on experimentation is the key to Copilot adoption. Whether you're leading digital transformation or just getting started with AI, this conversation offers practical insights and real-world strategies to help you thrive in the age of intelligent tools.  🔑KEY TAKEAWAYS Adoption Starts with Action: Aki emphasizes that AI adoption isn’t about watching demos—it’s about using the tools. Like building muscle, you only grow by doing. Copilot as a Cultural Shift: Successful AI integration requires leadership buy-in and a shift in mindset. Organizations that lead by example see faster, more meaningful results. From Experimentation to Impact: Real transformation begins when users apply Copilot to their own data and workflows—unlocking time savings, creativity, and even four-day workweeks. Low-Code is the Future of AI Agents: 90% of enterprise AI agents will be built using low-code/no-code platforms like Copilot Studio, democratizing development across teams. AI as a Personal Learning Partner: Aki uses AI daily—from preparing keynotes on unfamiliar topics to co-authoring books—proving that AI can be a powerful tool for continuous learning.  🧰 RESOURCES MENTIONED 👉 Microsoft Copilot Studio – Low-code platform for building AI agents: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-copilot-studio 👉 ChatGPT Voice Mode – Used by Aki for real-time learning while driving: https://openai.com/chatgpt 👉 AI Foundry – https://azure.microsoft.com/en-us/products/ai-foundry OTHER RESOURCES: 👉 Microsoft MVP YouTube Series - How to Become a Microsoft MVP - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLzf0yupPbVkqdRJDPVE4PtTlm6quDhiu7 👉 Aki Antman’s Book: From Copilot to Commander – https://www.amazon.com/Copilot-Commander-Redefining-Business-Generative-ebook/dp/B0DWNBXXBM?ref_=ast_author_dp&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.LWSjdjTsrRQPKIbDc_eN1g.hGH1sKs6RIEulhjgqciiPgzJ7W8eQyON4rcGNTNq66o&dib_tag=AUTHOR 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/693What happens when two Microsoft experts from different corners of Europe come together to bridge the gap between DevOps and low-code development? In this episode, Jozsef Vadkerti and Uros Kastelic share the story behind their new book, Mastering DevOps on Power Platform. From real-world enterprise challenges to the evolving role of AI and Copilot Studio, they unpack how professionals can bring rigor, governance, and agility to low-code environments—without sacrificing speed or innovation.  🔑KEY TAKEAWAYS DevOps Meets Low-Code: The Power Platform isn’t just for citizen developers. Jozsef and Uros explain how DevOps principles—like CI/CD pipelines and ALM—can and should be applied to low-code environments for enterprise-grade scalability and governance. A Book Born from the Field: Their book, Mastering DevOps on Power Platform, was inspired by real customer needs and gaps in understanding. It’s a hands-on, GitHub-backed guide that takes readers from foundational concepts to advanced DevSecOps practices. Copilot Studio in the ALM Ecosystem: As Copilot Studio evolves, it’s becoming a key player in enterprise AI strategy. The duo discusses how to manage Copilot agents with the same rigor as apps and workflows—integrating governance, security, and deployment pipelines. AI as a Daily Companion: From helping with kids’ homework to accelerating demo creation, both guests use AI tools like GitHub Copilot and Copilot Studio to streamline their personal and professional lives. Writing a Tech Book While Parenting: Balancing full-time roles, family life, and authorship, Jozsef and Uros reflect on the discipline and clarity that writing brought to their thinking—and how it helped them better communicate complex ideas to business audiences. 🧰RESOURCES MENTIONED👉 Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Mastering-DevOps-Microsoft-Power-Platform-ebook/dp/B0D9W762VH  👉 Packt: https://www.packtpub.com/en-us/product/mastering-devops-on-microsoft-power-platform-9781835880845Microsoft 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