Welcome to the AI Agent & Copilot Podcast, analyzing the latest AI Copilot and agent developments from Microsoft and its partners, delving into customer use cases, and exploring how AI plus the Cloud helps customers reimagine their business.
In this episode, Geoff Ables, managing partner at C5 Insight, discusses his sessions at the upcoming AI Agent & Copilot Summit with Tom Smith. Ables is speaking on:
- Copilot Case Studies: Profiles in Transformation
- Creating a Copilot Center of Excellence
- Step Into the Future: Copilot Agents
Highlights
Speaker, Company Background and AI Focus (01:47)
C5 Insight has been around for about 20 years. The company been focused on AI for the past three years, with all employees now dedicated to AI and Copilot initiatives. Ables believes AI will be a significant historical event, comparable to the invention of the wheel or electricity, and will fundamentally change how work is done. AI is integrated into all of C5 Insight’s practice areas, including business consulting, CRM, low-code, and business intelligence.
AI Agent and Copilot Summit Event (03:22)
Ables notes the Summit is the only event of its kind focused on AI, especially for Microsoft shops and Copilot, aiming to make AI knowledge more accessible to organizations, helping them make better decisions faster. He highlights the rapid advancements in AI and the need for organizations to stay updated and adapt to these changes.
Copilot Case Studies and Transformation Session (04:06)
The sesson will feature a panel of speakers from companies actively using AI. Confirmed speakers include the CIO of Paragon Films and a Microsoft MVP from Sony. It will feature a rapid-fire discussion on current AI projects, future plans, and lessons learned, aiming to connect attendees with AI leaders. Agents will be a significant part of the discussion, focusing on both out-of-the-box and custom agent use cases.
AI Agent & Copilot Summit is an AI-first event to define opportunities, impact, and outcomes with Microsoft Copilot and agents. Building on its 2025 success, the 2026 event takes place March 17-19 in San Diego. Get more details.
Challenges and Opportunities with AI Agents (05:20)
He notes 80% of companies are not using out-of-the-box agents. Some companies are developing custom agents without fully utilizing existing tools, while others are taking a wait-and-see approach. He warns that companies not adopting AI agents risk being left behind, similar to the impact of not adopting the internet in the past.
Creating a Copilot Center of Excellence Session (06:44)
A Copilot Center of Excellence is a business program focused on knowledge sharing, skilling, leadership, planning, and monitoring. Successful transformations, such as IBM and Harley Davidson, used a center of excellence approach, which ensures a a strategic and organized approach to AI adoption while driving cross-disciplinary and cross-departmental collaboration to drive AI success.
Step into the Future: Copilot Agents Session (08:32)
The session will focus on the art of the possible with AI agents, providing practical use cases and a vision for the future of AI agents, helping attendees understand their potential benefits. Ables highlights the importance of staying updated with AI advancements and the potential for AI to become an integral part of daily life.
Future of AI and Copilot Agents (10:36)
Ables predicts AI agents will remain front and center for the next few years, with ongoing advancements and maturation. He envisions AI capabilities that can see, hear, and speak, potentially integrated into wearables like earbuds or glasses.
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