Welcome to the AI 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, Lambert Hogenhout, Chief of Data & AI at the United Nations, discusses AI Agent & Copilot Summit with Tom Smith. Hogenhout is delivering the closing keynote, How to Survive AI as Companies and as Humans.
Highlights
Role and Responsibilities at the UN (01:05)
Hogenhout’s role involves both governance and implementation of data and AI initiatives at the UN, which has 100 offices worldwide. His team provides standards, advice, and tools to enable AI initiatives across different UN entities. He highlights the importance of governance and enablement in the context of the UN’s AI initiatives.
AI Agent & Copilot Summit’s Value (02:36)
Rapid development of AI and GenAI is reflected in the significant changes compared to four years ago. GenAI has driven increased interest from businesses and accelerated digital transformation. In the past, there were at time lukewarm receptions to AI and machine learning systems due to challenges involving data organization.
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.
Surviving AI: Keynote Preview (04:04)
Discussing his planned keynote, Hogenhout addresses the challenges of coping with the rapid evolution of AI and its impact on the UN’s work, while highlighting the productivity gains from copilots and agents, which can replace certain functions entirely. He stresses the need for businesses to rethink their workforce and skills in light of AI advancements.
Opportunities With AI (05:35)
He notes that businesses need to reinvent themselves to gain a competitive edge; applying technology alone won’t give them that edge. Businesses should regularly reevaluate their business models to adapt to new AI tools. Hogenhout warns that small, agile teams using cloud services can disrupt larger businesses, highlighting the importance of adaptability. Companies need modern approaches and business model reinvention.
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