Redtree IT

AI

Uncategorised

Unlock your potential with Copilot

/

September 30th 2024 By Matthew Phillips Unlock your potential with Copilot Imagine having an assistant by your side that never gets tired, never misses a detail, and can help with everything from drafting emails to organising meetings. Sounds great, right? Well, that’s what Microsoft Copilot is. It’s a smart, AI-driven tool built into the Microsoft apps you already use, like Word, Excel, and Teams. It’s designed to handle time-consuming tasks that slow your team down. But how exactly does it work, and why should you care? In simple terms, Copilot is AI embedded into the Microsoft Office suite. It’s always there to assist you, whether you’re typing up a report, analysing data in Excel, or even planning your next big meeting. And the best part is, you don’t need to be tech-savvy to use it. If you can use Word, you can use Copilot. So, how can it make a difference in your business? First off, one of the most exciting things about Copilot is that it’s seamlessly integrated into the software you already know. There’s no need for complicated installations or training sessions. And because it’s built into Microsoft 365, your team can jump right in with minimal disruption. It works across devices too, so whether you’re in the office or travelling, Copilot is always there. https://player.vimeo.com/video/1010647017? One area where Copilot really shines is how it simplifies your daily grind. Think about how much time gets wasted on things like sorting through emails or organising meetings. We’ve all been there, spending way too long combing through endless email chains or trying to figure out who said what in a meeting. Copilot tackles this for you. It can summarise long email threads and even suggest responses, so you can get back to what really matters. It’s like having someone do all the heavy lifting while you focus on the more important tasks. Speaking of meetings, Copilot is a big help when it comes to collaboration. Let’s say you’re wrapping up a Teams call. Instead of manually taking notes or worrying about missing key action items, Copilot will summarise the entire meeting for you, highlighting decisions and tasks. It listens in, captures the key points, and even helps you plan the next steps. But Copilot isn’t just about cutting down on admin work, it’s also a creativity booster. You know that moment where you stare at a blank document, unsure how to start? Whether it’s drafting a client proposal or putting together a presentation, sometimes the hardest part is getting the ball rolling. That’s where Copilot comes in. Give it a few prompts, and it’ll generate a first draft or outline to get you started. You don’t have to be a creative genius to produce something great. Copilot takes care of that early-stage work, freeing you up to fine-tune and add your personal touch. All this leads to a more productive, efficient, and creative workplace. That’s what makes Microsoft Copilot such a powerful tool. It not only takes care of the little things but also helps you unlock your team’s full potential. Want to find out what Copilot could do for your business? We can help, get in touch. Published with permission from Your Tech Updates.

Uncategorised

Lost for words? Draft with Copilot can help

/

August 26th 2024 By Matthew Phillips Lost for words? Draft with Copilot can help There’s an exciting new feature coming to Microsoft’s Edge browser that’s going to make your life – and your employees’ lives – a whole lot easier. ‘Draft with Copilot’ is an AI-powered tool that can instantly write text on any topic you need. When you’re in Edge and you find yourself staring at an empty text field (like the body of an email or a comment box), just right-click. You’ll see an option to ‘Draft with Copilot.’ Click on it, and a window will pop up. You just enter the subject or topic you need text for, hit ‘Generate,’ and watch Copilot do its thing. In a few moments, you’ll have a piece of text on the topic you specified. You can then change the tone and length of the generated text to suit your style. Want it to be more formal or casual? Need it longer or shorter? No problem. We all know time is money, ’Draft with Copilot’ can help save you both. Imagine how much time your team spend on writing everyday text. With Copilot, drafting a quick email or coming up with a social media update becomes easier. And Copilot not only helps you write faster but also makes sure the text is grammatically correct and well-structured. This is especially helpful if you’re writing in a language that’s not your native one. Right now, this feature is only available in US English, but Microsoft is working on expanding it to more languages. One warning: It’s important to review what it produces. Critics of AI-generated text sometimes say it can feel a bit generic. You might want to add a personal touch or specific details to make it more engaging for your audience. https://player.vimeo.com/video/995458071? This feature is currently in the Edge Canary preview build, which means it’s still being fine-tuned. Microsoft is steadily integrating Copilot into more Windows apps, making these AI tools more accessible and versatile across different platforms. It’s clear that the future holds even more convenient AI-assisted features that will make our digital lives easier. Not tried Copilot in your business yet? We can help you get started. Get in touch Published with permission from Your Tech Updates.

Uncategorised

Now Copilot’s going to make your team work better together

/

June 17th 2024 By Matthew Phillips Now Copilot’s going to make your team work better together Have you heard about Team Copilot yet? It’s the latest addition to Microsoft’s suite of AI tools and should be available later this year. Think of Team Copilot as an advanced, AI-powered assistant designed to help your team work better together. While Microsoft’s 365 Copilot has been a personal assistant for individual tasks like drafting emails or recapping missed meetings, Team Copilot takes it to the next level by focusing on group activities. There are three main ways Team Copilot can help your team: Meeting facilitator During a Teams video call, Team Copilot can take notes that everyone in the meeting can see and edit. It can also create follow-up tasks, track time for each agenda item, and assist with in-person or hybrid meetings when used with Teams Rooms. Group text chat assistant In group text chats within Teams, Copilot can summarise lengthy conversations to highlight the most important information. It can also answer questions from the group, making it easier to stay on track and informed without wading through pages (and pages and pages) of chat history. Project manager Team Copilot can help manage projects by creating tasks and goals within Microsoft’s Planner app. It can assign these tasks to team members and even complete some tasks itself, like drafting a blog post. It will notify team members when their input is needed. You know that productivity isn’t just about individual work. It’s also about effective teamwork. So, by helping with group-orientated tasks, Team Copilot can make big improvements to your overall productivity. It’s important to note that while Team Copilot is incredibly helpful, it doesn’t replace the role of a human meeting facilitator. It won’t lead meetings or ensure inclusivity, but it will create agendas, track time, take notes, and share files. It’s more of a business insights assistant, helping with group interactions and meetings rather than censoring comments or keeping people in line. But hey, who knows what’s to come in future! https://player.vimeo.com/video/954284935 Team Copilot will be available in preview later this year for Microsoft 365 customers with a Copilot subscription. While it’s a work in progress, the potential it has to transform team productivity is huge. Keep an eye out for its release and think about how it could fit into your workflow to boost your team’s productivity. If you have any questions or need further assistance in understanding how Copilot can benefit your business, get in touch. Published with permission from Your Tech Updates.

Uncategorised

Copilot is bringing another productivity boost to Teams

/

May 2nd 2024 By Matthew Phillips Copilot is bringing another productivity boost to Teams If you’re all about doing everything you can to help your team max their productivity (who wouldn’t want that, right?), then you’re going to love what Microsoft Teams has in store for us with its latest Copilot upgrades. Imagine, you’re mid-Teams meeting, brainstorming like there’s no tomorrow. Ideas are flying all over the place! Even the quickest note-taker among you isn’t going to remember it all. Never mind. Copilot’s got it. It can transcribe your conversation and understand your live chat, then summarise the most valuable insights. It doesn’t stop there. Ever wish you could hit “undo” on a chat message and reword your response? Copilot can help with that too. In fact, it can come up with a fresh message suggestion right there in the chat. That could save you lots of time – and brain power. https://player.vimeo.com/video/936636272 Copilot’s call recap tool can help with normal phone calls too. Teams Premium subscribers will benefit from handy recaps. It’s like having that personal assistant you always wished for (but you still have to make your own coffee). Microsoft’s also made IntelliFrame the default setting for video calls. What’s that, you ask? It uses AI to identify the individual video feeds of all participants so that everyone gets their moment in the spotlight during Teams Rooms calls. It also means no more awkwardly cropped faces or disappearing attendees. Smoother team collaboration, more insightful meetings, and video calls that look like they’re straight out of Hollywood… who doesn’t want that?! If you’re not already maxing Teams in your business, we can help. Get in touch. Published with permission from Your Tech Updates.

Uncategorised

Bridging the trust gap between your employees and AI

/

February 19th 2024 By Matthew Phillips Bridging the trust gap between your employees and AI You’ve probably been considering how to harness the potential of AI to boost your company’s efficiency and productivity. But there’s a small problem. A recent study revealed something fascinating but not entirely surprising: A trust gap when it comes to AI in the workplace. https://player.vimeo.com/video/910140139 While you see AI as a fantastic opportunity for business transformation, your employees might be sceptical and even worried about their job security. Here’s a snapshot of the findings: 62% of C-suite executives welcome AI, but only 52% of employees share the same enthusiasm. 23% of employees doubt their company’s commitment to employee interests when implementing AI. However, 70% of business leaders believe that AI should include human review and intervention, showing they view AI as an assistant rather than a replacement.   Now that we understand the situation, how can you introduce AI gently and reassure your employees that their roles are safe? Start by having open and honest conversations with your employees. Explain why you’re introducing AI and how it will benefit both the company and individual roles. Show them that AI is meant to be a helping hand, not a jobs terminator. Invest in training that helps your people acquire the skills they need to work alongside AI. Make them feel empowered by showing that it can make their jobs more interesting and valuable. Emphasise that your AI initiatives are designed to enhance human capabilities, not replace them. Let your team know that it will handle repetitive tasks, allowing them to focus on more creative and strategic aspects of their work. Develop clear guidelines for responsible AI use in your business. Highlight your commitment to ethical practices and ensure that employees are aware of these policies. Involve your employees in the implementation process. Seek their input, listen to their concerns, and make them part of the solution. This shows that you value their contributions. Encourage a culture of continuous learning. Let your employees know that they’ll have opportunities for ongoing education and development, ensuring they stay relevant and valuable in the AI-driven workplace. Introducing AI into your workplace doesn’t have to be a cause for concern among your employees. AI is a tool for growth and innovation, not a threat to job security. If we can help you introduce the right AI tools in the right way, get in touch. Published with permission from Your Tech Updates.

Uncategorised

An AI-charged blast from the past

/

An AI-charged blast from the past January 1st 2024 By Matthew Phillips Happy New Year. Remember Microsoft Paint? The simple drawing tool that many of us used to create pixelated masterpieces in our youth? It’s probably not an app you use very much these days. But what if I told you there’s a reason you might want to revisit it right now? Microsoft Paint is getting a serious upgrade in Windows 11 – and it’s all about AI. The big news is the introduction of Dall-E 3 support to Paint, or as it’s known in the app, Cocreator. Sound familiar? If you’ve seen the feature in Bing AI, you know it’s a game-changer. This isn’t just any old image creation feature. With Cocreator, you can tell it what you want, specify an art style, and an image based on your description magically appears. And this isn’t some gimmicky add-on. When Cocreator first rolled out with Bing Chat (now called Copilot), there was a massive rush to use the image generation capability. And the buzz around how good it is? Well, let’s just say it’s been substantial. Sure, there have been a few hiccups along the way, but when it comes to AI, a bit of turbulence is par for the course. https://player.vimeo.com/video/894077676 Windows Latest reports that Cocreator in Paint has left the testing phase and is ready for prime time – it’s now rolling out to all Windows 11 users. If you’re not seeing the Cocreator feature yet, don’t worry, it’s coming. Just make sure you’re running the latest version of Paint. If Microsoft asks you to sign up for the waiting list, do it. The Cocreator feature isn’t the only new addition to Paint. The app has been significantly beefed up this year. We’re talking a transparency effect, layers (a much-requested functionality), and even background removal. And these improvements aren’t just for Paint, Microsoft’s core Windows 11 apps are also getting a makeover. At this point, you might be thinking, “That’s all well and good, but how does this help my business?” Well, imagine being able to create custom graphics for presentations, reports, or social media posts in seconds. Think about how much time and money that could save. With Cocreator, anyone on your team can become a graphic designer. No need for expensive software or lengthy training; just describe what you want, and let AI do the rest. Raring to try this one out (it’s a nice way to start the new year)? You’ll need to have Windows 11 installed. If we can help with that, or any other tech problem this year, get in touch. Published with permission from Your Tech Updates.

Uncategorised

Unwrap the gift of knowledge: 5 free AI courses by Microsoft

/

December 25th 2023 By Matthew Phillips Unwrap the gift of knowledge: 5 free AI courses by Microsoft Merry Christmas! With the holiday season in full swing, you should be enjoying some well-deserved downtime. But what if I told you that you could make the most of your few days off from your business and prepare to seize the AI opportunity in 2024? The world of AI is booming, rapidly transforming industries, and redefining how we do business. In fact, according to PwC, AI could contribute up to £12 trillion to the global economy by 2030. Microsoft has released five free courses on AI that you can take advantage of during your time off. https://player.vimeo.com/video/892181014 An Introduction to Artificial Intelligence Let’s begin with the basics. This course helps you grasp the key concepts in AI. It’s designed for anyone and everyone, regardless of their technical background. By the end of this course, you’ll have a solid understanding of what AI is and how it can benefit your business. You can find it here: https://www.linkedin.com/learning/introduction-to-artificial-intelligence What is Generative AI? Once you’re comfortable with the basics, dive into the world of generative AI. This course covers the fundamentals, including what it is, how it works, different models, and future predictions and implications. You’ll learn how generative AI can be used to create new content and ideas, opening exciting possibilities for innovation and creativity in your business. You can find it here: https://www.linkedin.com/learning/what-is-generative-ai Generative AI: The Evolution of Thoughtful Online Search This course takes a deeper look at the core concepts of generative AI-driven reasoning engines and how they differ from traditional search engine strategies. With a better understanding of these concepts, you’ll be able to leverage the power of AI to improve your online search capabilities, making your business more efficient and effective. You can find it here: https://www.linkedin.com/learning/generative-ai-the-evolution-of-thoughtful-online-search Streamlining Your Work with Microsoft Bing Chat Chatbots are revolutionising the way businesses interact with their customers. This course helps you discover the power of chatbots and how to use them effectively. Learn how to streamline your customer service, automate routine tasks, and provide a better user experience with the help of AI-powered chatbots. https://www.linkedin.com/learning/streamlining-your-work-with-microsoft-bing-chat Ethics in the Age of Generative AI Finally, this course addresses one of the most pressing issues in AI – ethics. As AI continues to permeate every aspect of our lives, it’s crucial that we consider the ethical implications of using these tools and products. This course will guide you on how to navigate these complex ethical issues, ensuring that your use of AI aligns with your values and principles. You can find it here: https://www.linkedin.com/learning/ethics-in-the-age-of-generative-ai Make the most of these free courses to help you stay ahead of the curve, enhance efficiency, build trust with your customers, and unlock new opportunities. I know you want to kick back and relax for the next few days, and you should! But when you hit that no-man’s land between Christmas and New Year and you start to forget what day it is, this is a great investment of your time. What are you waiting for? Oh, right, the turkey… Published with permission from Your Tech Updates.

Scroll to Top