MVP Insights: Ali Nelson on Copilot Innovations, Optimizing Power Platform Use

In this episode of the MVP Insights podcast, John Siefert hosts Ali Nelson, Senior Functional Consultant & Capability Lead, Stoneridge Software, Microsoft MVP, to discuss the Copilot innovations and applications, Power Automate improvements, and getting hands-on in Power Platform sandbox environments.

Key Takeaways:

• Exciting innovations: Nelson notes that Microsoft is leading the way with the work it’s doing around Copilot and AI technology. She emphasizes, “How can you not be excited about Copilot?” Microsoft is putting a lot of its resources into Copilot; it’s constantly evolving and being put into action in more places. “It’s hard to not be excited about that, especially in this world of AI where AI is everywhere.” She’s particularly excited about the Copilot for OneNote and to use it for summarizing notes.
• Applications of Copilot: Applying Copilot to various applications, Nelson suggests, is “the definition of working smarter, not harder.” Using it to summarize meeting notes to highlight key points is one example. Copilot and AI agents can be used for customer-facing tasks. By answering questions and providing information, Copilot can save organizations time and resources by taking care of customer service and enabling individuals to focus on higher-level tasks.
• Power Automate and adaptive cards: As Copilot and AI technologies advance, automation has advanced, too. Power Automate has continued to improve, Nelson says. She shares her experience using adaptive cards with Power Automate in Teams, aiming to bridge gaps between the different technologies that companies are using. “It’s really making it easier for people to do their jobs,” Nelson says. “When you can really take this technology that’s available and streamline in and start putting things where people are, you’re making their jobs inherently easier as well.”
• Tips for newcomers: Nelson shared a few tips for those new to customer service or the customer experience area. “One of the biggest things is just experiment and don’t be afraid of experimenting.” It’s important to be hands-on in the sandbox environment and try it. Sandbox environments are available for Dynamics 365 Power Platform apps, for instance. “Don’t get stuck in your own head…Put your hands in there, get your hands dirty, and just give it a try. I think that’s the biggest thing.”
• Dynamics Hotdish: Nelson is part of the Dynamics Hotdish podcast with two other Microsoft MVPs, Ashley Steiner and Liz McGlennen, sharing their passion for the Dynamics 365 Power Platform space.

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