Business Tech Roundup: Is Microsoft Copilot Worth The Money?
Here are five things in tech that happened this week and how they affect your business. Did you miss them?
(This column originally appeared in Forbes)
1 — Copilot for Microsoft 365 deep dive: Productivity at a steep price.
Preston Gralla of Computerworld offered a detailed review of Copilot for Microsoft 365. Copilot is designed to enhance productivity within Microsoft 365 by integrating AI-driven assistance across various applications (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint). Gralla tested Copilot with each application to reach a conclusive recommendation — whether Copilot is essential for day-to-day business. After reviewing capabilities such as drafting text, generating insights from data, and automating repetitive tasks, Gralla says Copilot is an excellent assistant for creating documents and a “powerful tool” for slide presentations. With Excel, Copilot has “limited capabilities.” (Source: Computerworld)
Why this is important for your business:
This is an excellent deep dive into Copilot, which costs $30 per month per user. So what’s the bottom line? Gralla says you should consider using on a limited bases for now and advises that “as for going whole hog and buying it for everyone who has a Microsoft 365 subscription in your business that’s an expensive proposition and likely won’t come close to paying for itself in productivity increases, at least for now.”
2 — One of the best tablets for work travel is not made by Lenovo or Apple.
Cesar Cadenas tested and praised Microsoft’s 11th generation Surface Pro as one of the best tablets for work and travel, standing out among giants Lenovo and Apple. The tablet’s versatility, performance, and value get high marks for professionals in need of a portable device for productivity. A Copilot+ PC, key features include its 13-inch display, flex keyboard, and “phenomenal” battery life. Cadenas applauds its capability to handle multitasking, note-taking, and entertainment, making it a compelling option in the competitive tablet market. (Source: ZDNet)
Why this is important for your business:
Microsoft may still not be delivering value for its AI offerings yet, but it’s definitely become a major player in the tablet/laptop world. I know a number of people that are fans of the Surface Pro and its latest AI enhancements should only increase its functionality. Businesses looking to equip their employees with devices should be looking closely at the Surface Pro.
3 — Human vigilance is required amid AI-generated cybersecurity threats.
Given the rapid expansion of AI, it’s no surprise that it’s increasingly being used by both attackers and defenders in cybersecurity. The sophistication and speed at which AI can analyze data and execute attacks is a daily concern that requires human vigilance. The piece highlights over $9 trillion will be spent globally on battling cybercrime. Human expertise is a crucial part of the equation for detecting and mitigating these threats effectively. Cybersecurity professionals can be proactive about understanding AI’s potential vulnerabilities and leverage human intelligence to stay ahead of evolving cyber threats. (Source: Security Boulevard)
Why this is important for your business:
AI will make cybersecurity a bigger threat than ever — it’s already happening. However, AI tools to defend against cyberthreats will also help. But in the end, it’s still about humans. Companies will need to strengthen their internal control processes and invest more in training to ensure that employees can recognize potential issues and handle them.
4 — Can ChatGPT handle HR? Here’s what happened when we put it to the test.
Susan Anderson of Miratech explored ChatGPT’s capabilities in handling HR tasks. Her team conducted a six-week experiment where ChatGPT was tested with various HR-related queries and tasks — handling employee inquiries, scheduling interviews, and providing policy information. (Source: Fast Company)
Why this is important for your business:
The results showed that while ChatGPT could manage simple tasks effectively, it struggled with more complex/sensitive scenarios that require nuanced understanding or empathy. The second phase involved building a customized AI “specifically tailored” to needs where Anderson reported the results as “surprisingly positive.” The conclusion — human oversight is needed in the HR realm while refining AI systems to handle more intricate challenges in the future.
5 — What generative AI can do for construction right now.
Aaron Anderson — Director of Innovation for Swinerton — a California-based construction firm, discussed the impact generative AI is having on the construction industry. Describing his company as a “Microsoft shop,” Anderson talked about the collaboration between Swinerton and Microsoft — and the access to technology that Swinerton is leveraging to enhance various aspects of its operations. Enhanced design and planning, improved safety measures, and operational efficiency are just a few examples. Using AI-powered applications, project management can be streamlined, and tools are applied to monitor constructions sites in real time to ensure safety. (Source: Construction Dive)
Why this is important for your business:
Larger companies in the construction space, like Swinerton, have the resources to invest in custom-built, internal AI solutions. But the construction industry is made up of thousands of smaller firms and for those firms to truly realize the benefits of this technology the software makers that provide construction applications will need to incorporate AI functionality in their offerings.
