It would be a little remiss of me if I didn’t mention the launch this week of Microsoft’s consumer and small business AI play. Microsoft Copilot Pro integrates with Word, Outlook, PowerPoint, and OneNote, and offers suggestions, corrections, and insights based on the context and purpose of the document. It’s available now for anyone with a Microsoft 365 Personal or Family plan, at – by complete coincidence, I’m sure – almost the same monthly price as ChatGPT Plus.

Microsoft's approach with Copilot Pro and other AI services is primarily aimed at enhancing practical business and personal productivity, rather than implementing radical changes in the ways people work. 

For me, the real short-term win from Large Language Models lies in their ability to clear away yawn-inducing office tasks. Copilot, especially, is a superstar at this. It helps you tackle all the routine stuff, and leaves people to get on with the creative work. 

The people factor

AI tools like Copilot are not magic bullets that can solve all our problems, and they don’t magically do things on their own. And that highlights something that I suspect is getting neglected: long-term training and support for users in businesses.

One thing I have noticed in the creative industries time and again: technology often gets side-lined in learning and development. Sure, publishing companies have massively improved when it comes to fostering skills in leadership, coaching and other business areas. Yet, when it comes to embracing and learning new tech, training tends to be pretty old-fashioned, rolled out in a “one and done” approach. Updates are relegated to the odd email (which no one reads). 

In the old days, that worked because the pace of change of technology was comparatively slow. A new version of QuarkXpress (yes I am that old) would come out every couple of years, you would do an update session and that was it. 

But for cloud technologies this is not enough, and when there is a complete paradigm shift in tech – as we’re experiencing with AI – it risks putting you well behind more agile businesses.  

According to a report by Oliver Wyman Forum, there is a significant gap between the skills employees believe they need training in, such as AI and big data, creative thinking, and leadership, and the training that employers are currently offering. 57% of employees think the training they are getting isn’t sufficient. And I think they’re right. 

Of course, you can implement short-term fixes. But this is also a good opportunity to set up the way you train and the way your people learn for the long term. The next three to five years are going to see the pace of change accelerate, and you need to adapt the systems which allow your people to learn.

Continuous structured learning

Integrating AI tools into your team's workflow isn't a one-time event, but rather a journey of continuous learning. Begin by setting up a framework for ongoing training and support. This could mean setting up regular training sessions to providing access to online courses, interactive tutorials, and detailed manuals. It's not just about the initial learning curve; it's about keeping the knowledge fresh and relevant.

To foster a culture of continuous learning, encourage your team to see AI as an evolving toolset, one that offers new opportunities for growth and innovation. Promote an environment where experimentation is the norm, and learning from mistakes is valued. This approach helps to maintain a level of curiosity and enthusiasm for what AI can bring to the table.

Remember, the key to continuous learning is collaboration and knowledge sharing. By encouraging your team members to share their experiences and insights gained from using AI tools, you create a knowledge-rich environment. Regular team discussions, workshops, or even informal chat sessions can be great platforms for this exchange of ideas.

Not everyone is going to want to get on board. To get tech-hesitant people excited about AI, relate it to their interests and show how it simplifies work or hobbies. Demystify AI with jargon-free explanations and introduce them to easy-to-use tools through hands-on sessions. Sharing success stories of others who've overcome similar fears can motivate them. Ensure support is available for any questions, making their AI journey smooth and approachable, while focusing on its practical, real-world applications.

To put this into action, consider scheduling a monthly 'AI day' where team members can share new findings, discuss challenges, and brainstorm on how to better integrate AI into your workflows. Think about establishing a mentorship program where more experienced team members can guide others through learning about AI. And finally, make sure you are making use of your best communicators, not just the people who are really enthusiastic about AI.