The Future of AI: Insights from the Microsoft AI Partner Training Day

Recently, I had the privilege of attending the Microsoft AI Partner Training Day in London. The experience was both enlightening and energising, providing a clear glimpse into the transformative potential of Artificial Intelligence for modern businesses. One theme that came through loud and clear was ‘AI is no longer a distant vision’. AI is now a present-day reality that leaders across sectors are actively engaging with. The UK government’s AI action plan is a clear indication of that.

From boardrooms to development teams, AI is now a key part of strategic discussions. It’s no longer just about innovation for innovation’s sake, it’s about driving meaningful business outcomes, improving operations, and empowering employees across every department.

The Evolution of Copilot in Business

One of the most compelling narratives from the event was the origin story of Microsoft Copilot. Originally introduced as GitHub Copilot, the concept was built to assist developers by acting as a paired programmer. Today, Microsoft’s vision extends far beyond developers. Copilot is evolving into a tool designed to assist every employee, in every function or as Microsoft puts it “Every employee will have a Copilot”.

This challenges the common misconception that AI will replace developers. Instead, it’s designed to enhance developer productivity, helping teams tackle backlogs faster and make space for more strategic work. In the world of data science consulting and software development, this is a game-changer.

Azure AI Foundry & Microsoft Fabric in Business

Microsoft Azure services were a big talking point during the event. The event showcased Azure AI Foundry, a newly redeveloped version of Azure AI Studio, and its deep integration with Microsoft Fabric. These tools are designed to be the central hub for managing all things AI and data, from ingestion to insight. As they say, “Without good data, there is no good AI,” a statement I wholeheartedly agree with.

This is why there is a key focus on data strategy services and data transformation consulting. Understanding how data is collected, stored, and processed is essential for any organisation looking to implement AI effectively. This is why there is an aim for developing both data engineering and data science skills. A solid understanding of data from its source through to how it’s processed by Machine Learning (ML) models is incredibly important. How can we expect to empower clients if we can’t understand it? 

Hands-On with AI Agents and Azure AI Foundry

From a technical point of view, I got hands-on with the new Azure AI Foundry and Azure AI Agent Service. It’s clear that these are the new AI buzzwords we’ll be hearing within the data sphere. Foundry offers a broad set of AI capabilities, such as image generation models, chat models that can attach to real-time data on Bing or in-house data on SharePoint. One of the more futuristic elements of the day was the introduction of AI Agents. AI Agents are smart microservices that can automate business workflows and answer specific business questions. 

We also explored Microsoft’s new concept of “translytical” models, which combine transactional and analytical queries into a single, seamless experience. Imagine asking a question in plain English and receiving the answer as a chart, report, or insight without ever writing a line of SQL. While the term itself may not catch on, it’s an interesting concept. It even seemed that this is Microsoft’s direction of analytics now, steering away from structured reports. 

Security and Trust: Non-Negotiables in AI Adoption

Security and data governance were a major focus throughout the event. Microsoft addressed concerns about AI models like OpenAI and DeepSeek being able to keep your data secure. It was confirmed that any AI model accessed via the Azure model catalogue adheres to strict data privacy and security standards. This ensures that your organisation’s data remains within Azure, mitigating risk and ensuring regulatory compliance.

Darren Hardman, CEO of Microsoft UK, emphasized the importance for us as Microsoft Partners to embrace the full potential of MS AI into our organizations, urging us to “make it real.” After exploring the full extent of the capabilities today, I can see how it can transform a business, and I can’t wait to share my findings in-house. He also stressed the need for continuous learning and reading to stay current. As a Data and AI consultancy, this is an ethos we certainly embrace by constantly obtaining new certifications and specialisations.

Final Reflections: AI Strategy Must Be Grounded in Data Strategy

The Microsoft AI Partner Training Day provided a clear signal: AI is no longer a distant concept but a present force actively reshaping business strategy, development processes, and data infrastructure. As organisations continue to explore AI adoption, it’s becoming increasingly clear that success hinges not only on the capabilities of the tools themselves but also on a foundational understanding of how data is captured, managed, and governed.

About Simpson Associates

As a Microsoft Solutions Partner and 2024 Microsoft Community Response Partner of the Year, Simpson Associates is at the forefront of helping organisations design and implement data modernisation strategies that pave the way for AI. We’re proud to support clients across sectors with a full suite of data analytics services, data transformation services, and machine learning consulting services.

We’re also committed to the principle of Data for Good. If you have any questions regarding how we can help your organisation implement AI, feel free to reach out to us via email or live chat.

Blog Author:

Daisy Kennedy, Senior Consultant at Simpson Associates