Ready for Microsoft 365 Copilot? The AI assistant that will change the way you work

Copilot means that OpenAI technology will be built into the standard Microsoft 365 applications. This will simplify a number of day-to-day work processes and open up entirely new possibilities.

“Imagine being late for a team meeting and getting an AI-generated update on what you've missed. Or that you're about to dive into a 100-page document and, at the touch of a button, get an AI-generated summary of the content, tailored specifically to you.”

Microsoft's AI assistant, Microsoft 365 Copilot, can free up time for end users and make businesses more efficient. Copilot works across the Microsoft 365 apps you use every day and can help you with everything from taking notes in a Teams meeting to summarizing long documents and creating PowerPoint presentations. By adding more advanced features to the familiar tools, Copilot opens up a range of such possibilities.

Many of us already use AI in the workplace. But if you want to systematize it and make it work for the whole organization, you need to go the extra mile.

At Tietoevry, we have developed our own framework that focuses on preparation, implementation and management.

How to get started with Microsoft Copilot?

To get the most out of AI tools like Copilot, it's important to be well prepared and have a solid implementation plan.

“The timeline for Microsoft Copilot was announced in the end of September. If you want to realize the potential, you need to be well prepared. This applies both generally and specifically to Copilot.”

In the preparation phase, it is first important to ensure that an organization is ready to adopt AI in general, whether it is Copilot or other tools. This includes establishing internal rules and guidelines about what constitutes good ethical use of AI. Once this is done, you can look more specifically at Copilot and ensure that the organization meets the technical requirements and that the necessary security configurations are in place.

Five steps that companies should take to get started with Copilot:

1. Prepare for AI in general (e.g. establish policies and guidelines for ethical use).
2. Prepare for Copilot (i.e. map technical requirements, security settings, resource needs, plan rollout, etc.)
3. Assess the need for applications and integrations with Copilot/AI services.
4. User adoption (prepare training and support for employees)
5. Define specific goals for how AI will create business value for the organization.

Knowledge building is a key element. Both in terms of training and organizing individuals to learn and keep up to date.

When moving to the implementation phase, it is important to start with a controlled pilot and to prepare the users well. For most organizations, user adoption will be a key to success. It is therefore important to train staff well at the outset and to provide adequate user support afterwards.

After the rollout, we recommend that companies establish expert teams (what we call centres of excellence) to ensure that Copilot is continuously managed and developed in a secure manner and that it adds sufficient business value.

Tietoevry Tech Services actively works with the latest generative AI technologies and tools and advises Nordic companies and organizations on how to make the most of them.