Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly and profoundly transforming our world, unlocking opportunities and challenges for businesses and individuals alike. As has been the case with every major innovation throughout history, many are curious to know how this new technology could change our daily lives, including how we connect with one another or conduct business, and what it might do for us in the future.
Many of today’s top business leaders are asking the same questions: How can we harness the power of AI to empower our workforce? How do we keep up with the latest developments and trends in this fast-changing field? Will our data and information be safe when we use AI or adopt it at work? To help address these questions and more, we are excited to introduce Microsoft AI University – or AIU – a new video series delving into the transformative potential of AI, led by technology experts from around the world, to help organizations adapt and thrive in the age of AI.
Microsoft AI University is a resource that invites business leaders and more to discover what AI can do for them today and the possibilities it holds for the future, covering topics such as cybersecurity, the new world of work and business opportunity – all with responsibility in mind.
Strengthening cybersecurity strategies with AI
AI is helping organizations all over the world to find new ways to boost efficiency, productivity and thrive in the digital age. According to a McKinsey Global Survey, the global AI market in 2023 was $136.6 billion and the AI adoption rate increased to 35%. However, for many organizations, questions remain about cybersecurity and the risk of threat exposure as they adopt these new technologies.
But AI can be used to enhance security while mitigating the risks of cyberattacks. For instance, generative AI, found in solutions like Microsoft Security Copilot, is helping organizations and security teams to respond at the speed of today’s attacks, levelling the playing field and strengthening their defense.
In this Microsoft AI University episode, futurist and tech founder Sinead Bovell explores the top cybersecurity-related considerations for businesses adopting AI, including how organizations can strengthen their cybersecurity efforts today. She also shares best practices and tips for leveraging AI responsibly and securely.
Boosting business enablement with AI
AI represents not merely a technological shift but also a cultural transformation, influencing how individuals accomplish their tasks. Using AI to delegate operational tasks, leaders can redirect their attention to high impact work that empowers their workforce.
The potential for time saving is significant. In fact, one of the most exciting aspects of generative AI lies in its potential to free workers from repetitive and time-consuming tasks, so they can focus on more strategic and creative endeavors. For example, with Microsoft Copilot for Microsoft 365, which integrates AI into the apps people use every day, individuals and teams can save time, create meaningful connections with their customers and supercharge their productivity.
In this Microsoft AI University episode, tech expert Mônica Magalhães emphasizes how the possibilities with AI are not just momentary hype. AI can help companies lean more heavily into hyper personalization including mapping entire customer journeys. Further, Monica highlights how AI provides the capability to perceive emotions and feelings, enhancing the creation of better experiences and predicting needs and preferences, to create incredible experiences for customers as well as increasing productivity.
Driving productivity and competition with AI
AI is leading some of the most profound changes we have seen in the world of work in recent decades, similar to the arrival of the internet. Helping to streamline operations, advance customer engagement, or ushering in new opportunities for businesses across every sector and industry – the impact of AI is far-reaching.
In this Microsoft AI University episode, business journalist Rodrigo Pacheco talks about AI’s potential to transform not only business models, but also the workplace, and how organizations can ensure this technology is deployed responsibly. He also shares some thoughts on how we can leverage AI to be more productive and innovative, encouraging organizations to embrace AI today to achieve a competitive edge.
AI’s impact on businesses and individuals is vast when guided by the creativity and ingenuity of the people who wield it. But as AI becomes increasingly accepted and widely adopted, it is essential that organizations prioritize responsible adoption to ensure positive outcomes.
At Microsoft, we identify and apply in our own practices and technologies six principles that guide us toward Responsible AI: Fairness, Reliability and Safety, Privacy and Security, Inclusion, Transparency and Accountability. We follow these principles to guarantee the equitable treatment of all individuals by the AI technologies we develop and advise other organizations to do the same.
Now, it’s your turn to leverage AI responsibly – to gain a competitive advantage, increase creativity and achieve more efficient work – as it serves as your ally in reaching your full potential.
Sources:
- Cybercrime to cost the world $10.5 trillion annually by 2025. Cybercrime Magazine. November 13, 2020.
- Erik Brynjolfsson, et al, Measuring the Productivity Impact of Generative AI, National Bureau of Economic Research. 2023.
- Work Trend Index: Annual Report. (2023). Will AI Fix Work?
- The Future of Security with AI. 2023.
