Welcome to Microsoft Ignite 2024! With the first keynote less than an hour away, I’m gearing up to share my personal impressions over the next few days.
Earlier this year, Microsoft Build was dominated by many flavours of “CoPilot”, setting the stage for what felt like the beginning of a new era in innovation. This week, I’m eager to see how those concepts have evolved.
Will Ignite break new ground or stay tethered to the “CoPilot” paradigm of ChatBots and imperfect AI Assistants? Will IT Managers see the value? What are the practical considerations when implementing AI in the real world? Have Microsoft oversold the capabilities of CoPilot in the Enterprise? Where is the low hanging fruit and what areas must be avoided?
Recently Apple admitted that they are unlikely to meet the expectations of AI consumers in the short term. What about truly personal AI assistants that grow with you and “follow you around”? While I’m hopeful for some announcements, I suspect it might take a while to get there, as many people still grapple with understanding how to make use of the basic platforms; and regulatory and privacy hurdles are a nightmare.
Top Announcements from Ignite 2024
Arguably, here are the top 10 announcements from the first day of Microsoft Ignite 2024:
- Copilot Actions: New features to simplify workflows and automate repetitive tasks within Microsoft 365.
- Copilot Agents: Introduction of customisable AI agents that can perform specific tasks and integrate seamlessly with Microsoft 365.
- Copilot Analytics: Tools to measure the business impact of Copilot, providing insights into productivity and efficiency gains.
- Windows 365 Link: A new class of devices designed to connect securely to Windows 365 in seconds, enhancing cloud PC solutions.
- AI-Powered Speech-to-Speech Translation in Teams: Real-time translation for up to 31 languages, set to launch in early 2025.
- Scareware Blocker for Microsoft Edge: An AI-powered feature to detect and block scareware pop-ups, protecting users from scams.
- Zero Day Quest: A global hacking challenge aimed at strengthening cybersecurity through community engagement.
- Enhanced Security for Windows 11: New security updates and features to make Windows 11 the most secure operating system.
- AI Tools for Developers: Cutting-edge AI tools to drive innovation on Copilot+ PCs and Windows 11.
- Expansion of Cloud PC Solutions: Extending Windows 365 Cloud PCs to more job roles, including frontline workers and BYOD employees.
But don’t get too excited just yet. Are these announcements for tangible new products available today, or do they just amount to creating “buzz” in the market to ward off competition?
To my understanding, only two of these products are available today:
Available now
- Copilot Actions: You can start using these new workflow automation features in Microsoft 365 right away.
- Scareware Blocker for Microsoft Edge: This feature is already live, enhancing your browsing security.
The reality is that most of the “top” announcements are still to be delivered:
Coming “soon”
- Copilot Agents and Copilot Analytics: These will only be available in early 2025.
- Windows 365 Link: Expected to launch in Q1 2025.
- AI-Powered Speech-to-Speech Translation in Teams: Set to be released in early 2025.
- Zero Day Quest: Details and participation will be announced later.
- Enhanced Security for Windows 11: Rolling out with the next major update.
- AI Tools for Developers: These tools will be available with the upcoming updates to Copilot+ PCs and Windows 11.
- Expansion of Cloud PC Solutions: Gradual rollout starting early 2025.
“Coming soon” is hardly reassuring without a committed deadline. CIO’s need to plan. Not to mention that many of these innovations will only be made available to select “preview” customers, and potentially only in certain countries. This is not that helpful to those who are looking to innovate in the Corporate or Enterprise space. And even worse for small business, and cost-conscious independent consultants who might not be able to justify the Azure subscription to fully experiment.
My initial impressions of Microsoft Ignite 2024 suggest that there’s a significant focus on “Copilot.” This raises questions about whether prioritising Copilot might be displacing work on other Microsoft products. Additionally, could this intense focus on AI be causing uncertainty and confusion among business decision-makers and CIO’s, where “hype” is often equated with “vapourware” and thus avoided? Businesses are told they need to take some action, but what exactly?
Hopefully, as the event progresses, we’ll gain clearer insights into these concerns.
Perhaps at this point it is useful to reflect on what you need to do to avoid falling for hype. Here are some strategies decision makers can use to stay grounded and make informed decisions when adopting new technologies:
- Stay Informed: Keep up with industry news, trends, and expert analyses to understand the potential and limitations of new technologies.
- Evaluate Relevance: Assess whether the technology aligns with your company’s goals, needs, and industry. Not every new trend will be relevant or beneficial.
- Pilot Programs: Implement small-scale pilot projects to test the technology in a controlled environment before committing to a full-scale rollout.
- Seek Expert Advice: Consult with industry experts, analysts, and consultants who can provide unbiased insights and recommendations.
- Focus on ROI: Consider the return on investment and how the technology will impact your bottom line. Look for tangible benefits rather than getting swept up in the excitement.
- Employee Training: Ensure your team is adequately trained to use the new technology effectively. This can help mitigate risks and maximise benefits.
- Customer Feedback: Gather feedback from customers to understand how the technology impacts their experience and satisfaction.
- Risk Management: Identify potential risks and develop strategies to mitigate them. This includes considering cybersecurity, data privacy, and operational disruptions.
- Long-Term Vision: Keep a long-term perspective. Evaluate how the technology fits into your company’s future plans and growth strategy.
- Avoid FOMO: Don’t adopt new technologies just because others are doing it. Make decisions based on your company’s unique context and needs.
[Update] Drinking from a fire hose is never the right way to form an informed opinion about a complex and fast evolving new technology. Ignite is a fire-hose spraying out content at maximum speed, and frankly, it’s too much.
I have therefore been seeking third party opinions to counter Microsofts intense marketing push for CoPilot. What alternatives are there? What are the analysts saying? What is not been communicated by Microsoft? Why are companies turning off promising AI tools like meeting assistants, fearing that they could breach client privacy and confidentiality?
I have decided to only watch one Ignite session a day, to avoid information overload. This gives more opportunity to reflect, explore the topics in more depth and gain a better, more informed perspective. At the end of the day I think this approach will be more useful.
Stay tuned!