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https://www.microsoftinnovationpodcast.com/676  

Andrew Welch, Chris Huntingford, and William Dorrington explore the gap between marketed AI capabilities and technical reality, highlighting how "autonomous agents" often lack true orchestration and memory needed for genuine autonomy.

TAKEAWAYS
• Home gym innovation with resistance training that uses AI to adjust to your goals and fatigue levels
• Analysis of the US AI policy focusing on "US-made AI" compared to more detailed EU and UK frameworks
• The increasing fracturing of the global technology landscape with nations prioritizing domestic innovation
• Calling out marketing hype around "autonomous agents" that are merely deterministic automation with fancy names
• The critical need for memory capabilities in AI to enable true contextual understanding
• How delegation skills will become essential as we move toward more capable AI systems
• Creative workflows using Copilot for structuring ideas while preserving unique voice

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https://www.microsoftinnovationpodcast.com/675

The conversation takes a fascinating turn as we explore the future of meetings in a hybrid world. Jeff Hardison shares insights from Calendly's research showing growing excitement about AI's role in making meetings more effective, while also noting the pendulum swing between asynchronous communication and the irreplaceable value of human connection. 
 
Scheduling software Calendly has evolved from a simple time-finding tool into a comprehensive platform for building meaningful business relationships with over 20 million users worldwide.

TAKEAWAYS
• Calendly was founded by Tope Awotona, who wanted to solve the problem of coordinating meetings across different schedules and time zones
• The platform has expanded beyond basic scheduling to offer team-based coordination, automated notifications, and integration with payment systems like Stripe
• Calendly positions itself as "neutral Switzerland" between different platforms, integrating with Microsoft, Google, Zoom, Teams, and various CRM systems
• 54% of people surveyed are excited about AI's potential role in making meetings more effective
• The future of meetings will balance asynchronous communication tools with synchronous human connection
• Video communication skills are increasingly essential as remote work and freelancing continue to grow
• Microsoft-specific integrations include Outlook, Teams, Dynamics CRM, and Power Automate

Check out the Calendly for Microsoft webinar and integration page to learn more about connecting your Microsoft ecosystem with Calendly's scheduling capabilities.

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Amber Bell shares her journey from receptionist at a GP partner to Microsoft MVP, discovering her passion for training and documentation along the way.

TAKEAWAYS
• Starting as a receptionist at a Microsoft Great Plains partner in San Diego
• Moving up through certifications and discovering a love for training instead of programming
• Founding Training Dynamo nine years ago to focus on empowering users through education
• Helping clients bridge from GP to Business Central through process review and data cleanup
• Finding value in community connections with mentors like Kim Peterson and Anya Jucherski
• Emphasizing the importance of involving accounting teams in system transitions
• Growing from imposter syndrome to recognizing the value of specialized training skills
• Living near the beach in Connecticut with a love for making Mexican food and gardening

If you have not checked it out already, I do a YouTube series called How to Become an MVP. The link is in the show notes.

OTHER RESOURCES:
👉Microsoft MVP YouTube Series - How to Become a Microsoft MVP 

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FULL SHOW NOTES
https://www.microsoftinnovationpodcast.com/673  

Microsoft appears to be settling into a more deliberate AI strategy with increasing focus on data governance, security, and Fabric as a central component for AI implementation. The recent clarity around Microsoft's vision suggests a transition from reactionary AI deployment to a more considered approach for long-term value.

TAKEAWAYS
• Microsoft Fabric and OneLake emerging as an "AI landing zone" for consolidating multi-cloud data 
• Free mirroring technology for AWS and other platforms reduces barriers to cross-cloud data integration 
• Business Applications division potentially facing reorganization within the next five years 
• Dataverse likely moving to Fabric while Copilot Studio shifts to Microsoft 365 
• Traditional UI paradigms may disappear as AI interfaces replace menus and navigation elements 
• Legal involvement becoming critical in AI development for the first time in software history 
• Increased focus needed on the social and governance aspects of ESG in AI implementation 
• Serious concerns about AI's potential to facilitate cybercrime and human rights violations

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FULL SHOW NOTES
https://www.microsoftinnovationpodcast.com/672

We dive deep into the world of AI security with Microsoft's Senior Offensive Security Engineer, Joris De Gruyter, from the AI Red Team, who shares insights into how they test and break AI systems to ensure safety and trustworthiness.

TAKEAWAYS
• Microsoft requires all AI features to be thoroughly documented and approved by a central board
• The AI Red Team tests products adversarially and as regular users to identify vulnerabilities
• Red teaming originated in military exercises during the Cold War before being adapted for software security
• The team tests for jailbreaks, harmful content generation, data exfiltration, and bias
• Team members come from diverse backgrounds including PhDs in machine learning, traditional security, and military experience
• New AI modalities like audio, images, and video each present unique security challenges
• Mental health support is prioritized since team members regularly encounter disturbing content
• Working exclusively with failure modes creates a healthy skepticism about AI capabilities
• Hands-on experimentation is recommended for anyone wanting to develop AI skills
• Curating your own information sources rather than relying on algorithms helps discover new knowledge

Check out the Microsoft co-pilot and other AI tools to start experimenting and finding practical ways they can help in your daily work.

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FULL SHOW NOTES
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Prashant Chaudhary shares his journey from automation engineering to Microsoft MVP, highlighting how a passion for programming and community support shaped his successful career in Power Platform.

TAKEAWAYS
• Working at EY as a technical lead with expertise in Power Apps, Power Automate, and Dataverse
• First awarded Microsoft MVP status in 2024
• Started in automation engineering before transitioning to IT through a programming aptitude test
• Specializes in Power Automate after about 5-6 years working with Power Platform
• Successfully implemented desktop automation projects for financial data processing
• Career influenced by a startup owner who taught him to think beyond a single domain
• Joined EY through networking connections made by helping others in the community
• Planning to expand community involvement through speaking engagements in 2025
• Values networking as a critical component of career growth

OTHER RESOURCES:
Microsoft MVP YouTube Series - How to Become a Microsoft MVP
90 Day Mentoring Challenge - https://www.90daymc.com/  

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If you want to get in touch with me, you can message me here on Linkedin.

Thanks for listening 🚀 - Mark Smith

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FULL SHOW NOTES
https://www.microsoftinnovationpodcast.com/670
 
Join us for a captivating conversation with Rahan Arif, the dynamic CEO and founder of Lowcodera, who pulls back the curtain on his inspiring journey through the tech world. From the early days of building websites in university to navigating the impactful realms of Microsoft technologies and SharePoint, Rahan shares how these experiences paved his path to entrepreneurship. He also reveals how he balances this high-stakes career with the joys of family, food, and travel, and how these personal passions keep him grounded. Learn from his insights on the increasing costs of travel due to inflation and his memorable family trips to Europe and Dubai. 

TAKEAWAYS
• Rahan's background in website development and early IT experiences 
• Transitioning from SharePoint to a focus on Power Platform 
• Identifying gaps in the functionality and appearance of Power Apps 
• Launching Low Code Era to address these challenges with PCF components 
• Introduction of the generative AI app-building platform for faster development 
• The concept of "App in an Hour" and collaborative prototyping 
• Revolutionizing how businesses approach and envision app solutions 
• The future potential of low-code integrations and democratizing development 

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FULL SHOW NOTES
https://www.microsoftinnovationpodcast.com/669

Peter Ruiter shares his journey from PHP developer to Microsoft MVP, highlighting his career transformation and expertise in Microsoft's contact center technology.

• Born in the Netherlands with a family that spans continents – wife from Argentina, two sons aged 14 and 10
• Started in Media Technology, working with PHP and marketing automation before transitioning to Microsoft technologies
• Currently serves as Principal Solution Architect and Cloud Domain Lead at Capgemini
• Leads Power Platform initiatives within Capgemini Netherlands, focusing on complex Dynamics projects
• Passionate about Microsoft's contact center capabilities which integrate Teams, Dynamics, and Azure Communication Services
• Explains how Microsoft's platform approach gives it advantages over competitors like Genesis and Amazon Connect
• Provides insight into the practical considerations of implementing contact center solutions, including cost comparisons
• Planning to speak at the BizApps Summit in Düsseldorf and attend the MVP Summit

OTHER RESOURCES:
Microsoft MVP YouTube Series - How to Become a Microsoft MVP - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLzf0yupPbVkqdRJDPVE4PtTlm6quDhiu7 

Support the show

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Thanks for listening 🚀 - Mark Smith

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FULL SHOW NOTES
https://www.microsoftinnovationpodcast.com/668 

Microsoft's digital technology specialist from Singapore shares insights on enterprise-scale Power Platform implementations and how AI is transforming business processes across industries. We explore the psychology behind enterprise architects' resistance to low-code platforms and examine real-world success stories from major banks and global organizations.

TAKEAWAYS
• The psychological barriers enterprise architects face when considering low-code platforms
• Parallels between historical resistance to .NET and today's hesitation about Power Platform
• Case study of a major bank that improved performance 12-fold by migrating from legacy ERP
• How a UK bank used Power Automate to fix a critical integration in hours instead of weeks
• The impact of agentic AI on eliminating "performance leaks" in organizational workflows
• Transforming contact centers with intelligent routing and AI-powered agent assistance
• Why smaller organizations without legacy data "baggage" are well-positioned for AI adoption
• How the Power Platform enables consolidation of business processes similar to data lakes

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If you want to get in touch with me, you can message me here on Linkedin.

Thanks for listening 🚀 - Mark Smith

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FULL SHOW NOTES
https://www.microsoftinnovationpodcast.com/667

Join us for a captivating episode exploring the transformative journey of Soren, a senior consultant and MVP in the Power Platform community. From his humble beginnings to becoming a thought leader, Soren opens up about his experiences and insights. He emphasizes the user-friendly nature of the tools within the Power Platform, making it accessible to anyone looking to embark on a career in tech. Soren's stories reveal how curiosity and adaptation can turn obstacles into stepping stones toward success. 
 
TAKEAWAYS 
• Soren's introduction to the Power Platform and Projectum 
• Importance of user-friendly tools for citizen developers 
• Enhancing skills in the tech landscape with AI intersections 
• Real-world examples of user empowerment through technology 
• Insights into potential future trends in the industry 
• Career advice for aspiring Power Platform developers 

 OTHER RESOURCES:
👉  Microsoft MVP YouTube Series - How to Become a Microsoft MVP - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLzf0yupPbVkqdRJDPVE4PtTlm6quDhiu7 

Support the show

If you want to get in touch with me, you can message me here on Linkedin.

Thanks for listening 🚀 - Mark Smith