Say what you want about AI, one thing is true. The workplace is undergoing a fundamental transformation, and AI is at the centre of it. At a recent Microsoft event, I had the opportunity to speak with David Beauchemin, the Director of Cloud and AI for Microsoft. We discussed how Copilot is redefining productivity and collaboration within Microsoft 365 and take a look under the hood of what powers Copilot. For me, this conversation revealed a lot about why everyone, in any position, needs to learn how AI will affect their jobs, and the need to constantly learn new AI skills.
From Tool to Teammate
Microsoft Copilot will shift in how we interact within the Microsoft ecosystem. Rather than spending hours formatting documents, mining through email threads, or summarizing lengthy meetings, Copilot acts as an intelligent assistant that understands context and anticipates needs.
Need to catch up on a Teams conversation you missed? Copilot summarizes the key points. Drafting a proposal in Word? It can generate initial content based on your brief. Analyzing data in Excel? It helps surface insights you might have overlooked. The key is to learn how to use Copilot to get what you want, when you need it. Old habits are hard to break. Like others, I have decades of muscle memory to reset. Wish me luck!
Reclaiming Time
In this world of constant distractions, it's time we reclaim our cognitive bandwidth. We need time to think deeply. When AI handles the repetitive, time-consuming tasks that fill our workdays—the email triage, the data organization, the note-taking—knowledge workers can focus on what humans do best: creative thinking, strategic planning, and building relationships.
According to Microsoft's own research, workers spend roughly 60% of their time communicating and only 40% creating. Copilot aims to flip that equation, helping us work faster on communication tasks so we can dedicate more energy to meaningful work. Again, this is a different way of working. The issue is, resetting our old habits. It's not going to be easy, but a creative like myself needs to focus on creating. Emails are the bane of my existence. If I don't get back to you via email, now you know why. For older folks, learning these new skills is not going to be easy. You need to be in a growth mindset to learn and adopt AI in the workplace. Time are changing fast, get ready to learn new skills.
The Learning Curve Ahead
This AI transformation we live in comes with challenges. Organizations need to rethink workflows, establish new best practices, and help employees develop AI literacy. There are valid questions about data privacy, accuracy, and over-reliance on AI-generated content that businesses must address thoughtfully.
But the trajectory is clear: AI assistants like Copilot are becoming integral to how we work. The future of work isn't about humans versus AI—it's about humans augmented by AI. We can work smarter and more creatively than ever before.
As we navigate this shift, the companies and individuals who learn to leverage these tools effectively will have a significant competitive advantage. So here's my HandyAndy advice. If you work inside the Microsoft 365 environment, learning Copilot is a non-negotiable skill. Reset how you work, not matter your age, experience, or position. If you're starting a business insides the Microsoft ecosystem, learn Agentic AI. Don't wait, incorporate. Thank me later, class dismissed!
