Cutting-edge advancements, investments, initiatives, and collaboration possibilities in emerging AI technologies including ChatGPT, Copilot showcased at annual conference.
Microsoft Inspire 2023 showcased a range of cutting-edge AI innovations @, investments, programs, and partner opportunities, with a special focus on new AI technologies like ChatGPT and Copilot. The virtual conference, held on July 18-19, featured Microsoft Chairman and CEO Satya Nadella alongside other senior executives, who highlighted the transformative impact of the new generation of AI.
One of the highlights was Nadella's emphasis on generative AI and its two major applications: making computer user interfaces more intuitive using natural language and enabling effective information management. Microsoft's commitment to generative AI across its product portfolio will rely heavily on its partner ecosystem, which will play a crucial role in ensuring data readiness, and implementation success across various technology stacks, and drive change management to provide high value.
An important announcement at Inspire was the pricing of Microsoft 365 Copilot , which integrates ChatGPT-based conversational AI into 365 applications. The service is priced at $30 per month per user, reflecting Microsoft's belief in the value generative AI can unlock in the digital workplace. ChatGPT Plus, offering priority access, faster speed, and early access features, comes at $20 per month. The pricing announcement had a positive impact on Microsoft's stock value, rising 4% after the announcement.
Microsoft also introduced Bing Chat Enterprise , a version of the chatbot built into Microsoft 365 with a focus on privacy for businesses. Enterprise users can access Bing Chat securely within their Microsoft 365 ecosystem, ensuring data separation and privacy. The offering is included at no cost with certain Microsoft 365 plans and is available as a stand-alone application for $5 per user per month.
Inspire unveiled Sales Copilot , a new application embedding Copilot functionality and CRM data from platforms like Salesforce and Dynamics 365 into Microsoft 365. Sales Copilot provides real-time tips during meetings, context-aware insights, and automated information about sales opportunities, enhancing sales teams' efficiency and productivity.
AI features were also integrated into Power Automate Process Mining, allowing businesses to identify opportunities for leveraging AI advantages in various processes. Copilot AI assistance is now available throughout Microsoft Power Platform, including Power Automate Process Mining, to find work bottlenecks and offer suggestions for process automation and data tracking.
Microsoft's commitment to expanding AI resources and capabilities was also demonstrated by the addition of Meta's Llama 2 open-source foundation models to the Azure AI model catalogue. The regional expansion of the Azure OpenAI service to Asia, as well as increased availability in North America and Western Europe, further strengthens Microsoft's AI offerings.
The Azure AI model catalogue, currently in public preview, empowers developers to apply AI, including GPT-4 and other AI applications from Hugging Face, to their applications. Developers can browse, fine-tune, and deploy models in private instances with AI safety best practices.
In terms of cloud migration, the Azure Migrate and Modernise tool received significant enhancements, offering extended capabilities and services. Additionally, the AI Cloud Partner Program underwent a revamp , encouraging collaboration and resource sharing to drive AI-powered digital transformation across the Microsoft partner ecosystem.
Throughout the event, partners showcased their AI assistants, demonstrating Microsoft's Copilot strategy to create a cloud and development platform centred on generative AI. Microsoft's vision is to empower partners to build their own AI assistants on the platform, driving greater value through network effects.
Microsoft Inspire 2023 was a clear testimony to Microsoft's dedication to advancing AI technologies and its commitment to fostering collaboration and innovation both for its partners and also their customers.
Judson Althoff, Executive Vice President and chief commercial officer at Microsoft summed up the scale of the opportunity for partners like SoftwareOne, describing the sharing of AI resources as the next step after moving businesses to the cloud and encouraging digital transformation across organisations.
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Do you require any support to determine how your on-premises deployments would be best converted to Azure? Contact us today and talk to our Microsoft Azure experts!
