Microsoft Copilots Everything at Ignite 2023 + New Notion AI Beta - Using AI Podcast - Episode 12

In this episode, myself and ML Research Scientist, Alex Papadopoulos Korfiatis, discuss the new offerings from Microsoft concerning its Copilot series, which uses generative AI technologies. During the Microsoft Ignite 2023 conference, the company introduced the Copilot for Azure, Copilot for Service, and Copilot in Dynamics 365 Guides. We also discuss the launch of Copilot Studio, a platform that offers tools to connect Copilot to third-party data.

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Listen to Using AI on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and watch the episode on YouTube.

Microsoft's Ignite 2023 event landed with an explosion of AI products and updates that underline the tech giant's evolving vision for IT professionals. Here's a quick tour of the key points presented at the event:

AI Rebrand: Bing Chat, the AI conversational tool launched earlier on Bing, has evolved into Copilot to better compete with popular AI chatbots. The transition sees the tech deviating from the search engine interface and finding a home in Windows, Copilot.Microsoft.com and Bing at no extra cost for specific Microsoft's enterprise subscription plans.

Custom AI Chips: Microsoft introduced two custom AI chips: the Azure Maia 100 AI Accelerator and Azure Cobalt 100 CPU, destined for data centers. These chips aim to train, run AI models and general-purpose workloads, with anticipated versions powering Microsoft AI services like Copilot and Azure OpenAI Service due next year.

Innovative AI Tools: Microsoft introduced new tools under the Copilot series, including Copilot for Azure, Copilot for Service, Copilot Studio and Copilot in Dynamics 365 Guides, fulfilling varied needs from cloud customers to frontline workers.

Microsoft Teams: Teams debuted with an AI-backed home decorator and voice isolation feature. With AI helping to beautify your video call background, and reduce background noises, Microsoft teams promises more immersive and efficient communication.

Unified Project Management: Microsoft To-Do, Planner, and Project are now amalgamating into one unique product for a seamless project management experience. This revamped tool will include a copilot feature to aid users in planning faster and suggesting tasks.

Extended AI Copyright Protections: Customers making use of Azure's OpenAI Service can now receive defence and compensation against adverse copyright accusations; though this protection isn't blanket and qualification is condition-based.

Windows AI Studio: This new toolkit marks an effort to transition generative AI experiences from the cloud to Windows devices. It comprises a collection of AI models that developers can refine and deploy for peripheral, offline use in their Windows apps.

Azure AI Speech: Lastly, this tool from Microsoft allows the creation of photo-realistic avatars, which can say things that the actual person didn't necessarily say.

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We also discuss the new update from Notion, a note-taking app enhanced with AI. Its new 2.35 update introduces a new feature called Q&A, which is currently in beta testing. This feature responds to your notes in the form of answers, making it easier to manage tasks, timelines, and priorities. (Or does it?)

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Check out Using AI on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and watch the episode on YouTube.

News links

https://techcrunch.com/2023/11/15/microsoft-now-has-a-copilot-for-almost-everything/

https://www.theverge.com/2023/11/15/23960417/microsoft-copilot-ai-studio-custom-gpts-chatgpt-openai

https://blogs.microsoft.com/blog/2023/11/15/microsoft-ignite-2023-ai-transformation-and-the-technology-driving-change/

https://www.notion.so/releases/2023-11-14