🎤 Session Recap: Using Microsoft Copilot and AI Tools in the Workplace

At this hands-on session, attendees got a deep dive into how Microsoft Copilot—and generative AI more broadly—is transforming workplace productivity across Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, and Teams. From writing assistance to advanced data analysis, the session focused on practical use cases and workflows that professionals can put to work immediately.

🧠 Getting Started with Generative AI

The presenter kicked things off by demystifying AI:

• AI = artificial intelligence, while generative AI is the kind that can create new content—text, images, code, and more.

• Tools like ChatGPT and Copilot are “agents” that work with “prompts” (your instructions).

• Prompts are the new programming language: the more specific and clear you are, the better the output.

📝 Word: Writing with Less Effort

Real-life scenario: The presenter drafted a letter in Word and wanted to make it more concise.

• Copilot can rewrite, summarize, and polish content instantly.

• Insert feature sometimes works directly, but good old-fashioned copy/paste is still a solid plan B.

• Built-in Copilot means there’s no longer a need to paste content into external tools like ChatGPT—it’s all embedded.

“I'm a big copy-and-paster, so I just grab the result and go. We're off to the races!”

📊 Excel: From Raw Data to Insights

The most impressive productivity boosts were in Excel:

• Formula generation: Copilot can write formulas like extracting state abbreviations from addresses or calculating tax-inclusive sales totals.

• No Excel wizardry needed: Copilot explains formulas before applying them, and previews how new columns will look.

• Trend detection & visualizations: Ask it to find patterns, trends, or outliers—it creates pivot tables and charts automatically.

• Can even generate monthly sales timelines with just a prompt, perfect for meeting prep.

“Can I build a pivot table myself? Sure. But Copilot does it in seconds.”

📬 Outlook: Better Emails, Faster

The session also covered Copilot in Outlook for email drafting and coaching:

• Two modes:

  • Draft with Copilot: Write emails with a few details (e.g., awarding a contract).

  • Coaching: Reviews your email for tone, clarity, and sentiment, then suggests improvements.

• Smart refinement: Easily update a draft to include more info (like a deadline) and adjust tone with preset controls.

“It will always give you suggestions, and you can apply them if they fit.”

📽️ PowerPoint: Presentations in a Flash

The session wrapped with a demo in PowerPoint:

• Copilot can generate entire presentations from a single prompt.

• Example: “Create a presentation about the benefits of using AI in the workplace for an AV conference.”

• Auto-generates structure, editable sections, and even relevant images.

• Users can delete or add topics, rearrange slides, and regenerate content in seconds.

“Yes, I could build this deck manually, but why not let Copilot do the heavy lifting?”

🙋‍♀️ Q&A Highlights

• Do you need to credit AI for content like blog posts or articles?

  • Legally, no. But best practice is to disclose AI usage for transparency.

  • A simple disclaimer or note is enough to maintain credibility.

• Cross-industry relevance: A question from a residential integrator sparked discussion about crossover use cases between consumer and commercial spaces—AI tools like Copilot are becoming universal aids, no matter the vertical.

✅ Final Takeaways

• Efficiency is the theme: Copilot empowers users to work faster, smarter, and more confidently.

• It’s okay not to be perfect: The session encouraged using AI as a “starting point” rather than an all-or-nothing solution.

• Prompting is a skill—the more specific your instruction, the better the result.

“Copilot is your personal assistant—you don’t have to do all the hard work yourself.”