Unlocking AI’s True Power: Beyond Copilot Basics – YouTube

Unlocking AI’s True Power: Beyond Copilot Basics

Get featured on the show by leaving us a Voice Mail: https://bit.ly/MIPVM

Alex Pearce explores how AI can go beyond answers to build interactive tools. From Claude-generated HTML pages to agentic AI and ISO standards, he shares how enterprises can drive real value and maturity with AI—moving past hype to practical, strategic adoption.

🔴 For full Show Notes: https://www.microsoftinnovationpodcast.com/711

🎙️ What You Will Learn:

What if your AI assistant didn’t just answer questions—but built you an interactive tool to explore the answer yourself? In this episode, Alex Pearce, Chief Strategist at Softcat and long-time Microsoft MVP, shares how he’s pushing the boundaries of AI in the enterprise. From HTML-based learning tools to agentic AI and ISO standards, Alex offers a grounded yet forward-thinking look at how organizations can move beyond hype and start building meaningful, effective AI strategies.

🔑 KEY TAKEAWAYS
✅ Interactive AI as a Learning Tool: Alex uses Claude to generate interactive HTML pages for exploring complex topics—transforming AI from a passive assistant into an active teaching tool.
✅ Agentic AI for Real Productivity: True productivity gains come from building AI agents that can autonomously assist with tasks like compliance checks or document analysis—not just summarizing meetings.
✅ Governance and Standards Matter: As AI adoption accelerates, organizations must understand what models are being used, where data is processed, and how to align with emerging standards like ISO 42001 and the EU AI Act.
✅ Copilot Confusion: Many businesses underutilize Microsoft 365 Copilot because they’re unaware of included tools like Copilot Studio, Notebooks, and custom agents—despite paying for them.
✅ AI Maturity is Uneven: While some organizations are innovating fast, others are still unsure how to extract value from AI tools. Education and architectural thinking are key to bridging the gap.

✅ Find Alex Online:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ajp15/
X (Twitter): https://x.com/alex_pearce
YouTube videos – Co-pilot for M365, AI and the career of x 17 Microsoft MVP Alex Pearce – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TDR-cIQKnKM
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheValueAdd
Personal blog or website: https://www.alexpearce.tech

🧰 RESOURCES MENTIONED:
👉 Claude by Anthropic – Alex’s preferred AI model for generating interactive content: https://www.anthropic.com
👉 Where’s Wes (YouTube) – A creator who demonstrates AI coding and visualization techniques.
👉 Microsoft 365 Copilot Studio – Tool for building custom AI agents within Microsoft 365: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-copilot-studio
👉 Azure AI Studio / Foundry – For building and hosting custom AI models with full control: https://azure.microsoft.com/en-us/products/ai-services
👉 Microsoft MVP YouTube Series – How to Become a Microsoft MVP – https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLzf0yupPbVkqdRJDPVE4PtTlm6quDhiu7
👉 Microsoft MVP YouTube Series – How to Become a Microsoft MVP – https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLzf0yupPbVkqdRJDPVE4PtTlm6quDhiu7

🔴 Subscribe for all the latest Microsoft MVP News: https://www.youtube.com/nz365guy?sub_confirmation=1

🔴 Share this video with a Youtuber friend: https://youtu.be/NBSJxdw8D7w

✅ Recommended Playlist: MVP Show. Hear the latest from Microsoft Business Applications MVPs – https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLzf0yupPbVkoKTBGm46RlGnCwVLLPKvsT

✅ Want to become a Microsoft MVP? You need to watch these: How to Become a Microsoft MVP https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLzf0yupPbVkqdRJDPVE4PtTlm6quDhiu7

✅ Let’s Connect:
Collaborate with me here – https://cloverbase.com
YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/nz365guy
Website – https://podcast.nz365guy.com/
LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/nz365guy
X – https://twitter.com/nz365guy
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/nz365guy
Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/nz365guy
Pinterest – https://www.pinterest.nz/nz365guy

I’m Mark Smith – nz365guy – Helping people reach their full potential

I have been a Microsoft Business Applications MVP for over 13 years. I am passionate about helping people reach their full potential, through training, coaching and mentorship.

This year we’re adding a new show to our line up – The AI Advantage. We’ll discuss the skills you need to thrive in an AI-enabled world.

Accelerate your Microsoft career with the 90 Day Mentoring Challenge (https://www.90daymc.com/)

We’ve helped 1,300+ people across 70+ countries establish successful careers in the Microsoft Power Platform and Dynamics 365 ecosystem.

Benefit from expert guidance, a supportive community, and a clear career roadmap. A lot can change in 90 days, get started today!

Support the show (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/nz365guy)

If you want to get in touch with me, you can message me here on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/nz365guy).

Thanks for listening 🚀 – Mark Smith

Get featured on the show by leaving us a Voice Mail: https://bit.ly/MIPVM

Alex Pearce explores how AI can go beyond answers to build interactive tools. From Claude-generated HTML pages to agentic AI and ISO standards, he shares how enterprises can drive real value and maturity with AI—moving past hype to practical, strategic adoption.

🔴 For full Show Notes: https://www.microsoftinnovationpodcast.com/711

🎙️ What You Will Learn:

What if your AI assistant didn’t just answer questions—but built you an interactive tool to explore the answer yourself? In this episode, Alex Pearce, Chief Strategist at Softcat and long-time Microsoft MVP, shares how he’s pushing the boundaries of AI in the enterprise. From HTML-based learning tools to agentic AI and ISO standards, Alex offers a grounded yet forward-thinking look at how organizations can move beyond hype and start building meaningful, effective AI strategies.

🔑 KEY TAKEAWAYS
✅ Interactive AI as a Learning Tool: Alex uses Claude to generate interactive HTML pages for exploring complex topics—transforming AI from a passive assistant into an active teaching tool.
✅ Agentic AI for Real Productivity: True productivity gains come from building AI agents that can autonomously assist with tasks like compliance checks or document analysis—not just summarizing meetings.
✅ Governance and Standards Matter: As AI adoption accelerates, organizations must understand what models are being used, where data is processed, and how to align with emerging standards like ISO 42001 and the EU AI Act.
✅ Copilot Confusion: Many businesses underutilize Microsoft 365 Copilot because they’re unaware of included tools like Copilot Studio, Notebooks, and custom agents—despite paying for them.
✅ AI Maturity is Uneven: While some organizations are innovating fast, others are still unsure how to extract value from AI tools. Education and architectural thinking are key to bridging the gap.

✅ Find Alex Online:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ajp15/
X (Twitter): https://x.com/alex_pearce
YouTube videos – Co-pilot for M365, AI and the career of x 17 Microsoft MVP Alex Pearce – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TDR-cIQKnKM
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheValueAdd
Personal blog or website: https://www.alexpearce.tech

🧰 RESOURCES MENTIONED:
👉 Claude by Anthropic – Alex’s preferred AI model for generating interactive content: https://www.anthropic.com
👉 Where’s Wes (YouTube) – A creator who demonstrates AI coding and visualization techniques.
👉 Microsoft 365 Copilot Studio – Tool for building custom AI agents within Microsoft 365: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-copilot-studio
👉 Azure AI Studio / Foundry – For building and hosting custom AI models with full control: https://azure.microsoft.com/en-us/products/ai-services
👉 Microsoft MVP YouTube Series – How to Become a Microsoft MVP – https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLzf0yupPbVkqdRJDPVE4PtTlm6quDhiu7
👉 Microsoft MVP YouTube Series – How to Become a Microsoft MVP – https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLzf0yupPbVkqdRJDPVE4PtTlm6quDhiu7

🔴 Subscribe for all the latest Microsoft MVP News: https://www.youtube.com/nz365guy?sub_confirmation=1

🔴 Share this video with a Youtuber friend: https://youtu.be/NBSJxdw8D7w

✅ Recommended Playlist: MVP Show. Hear the latest from Microsoft Business Applications MVPs – https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLzf0yupPbVkoKTBGm46RlGnCwVLLPKvsT

✅ Want to become a Microsoft MVP? You need to watch these: How to Become a Microsoft MVP https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLzf0yupPbVkqdRJDPVE4PtTlm6quDhiu7

✅ Let’s Connect:
Collaborate with me here – https://cloverbase.com
YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/nz365guy
Website – https://podcast.nz365guy.com/
LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/nz365guy
X – https://twitter.com/nz365guy
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/nz365guy
Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/nz365guy
Pinterest – https://www.pinterest.nz/nz365guy

I’m Mark Smith – nz365guy – Helping people reach their full potential

I have been a Microsoft Business Applications MVP for over 13 years. I am passionate about helping people reach their full potential, through training, coaching and mentorship.

This year we’re adding a new show to our line up – The AI Advantage. We’ll discuss the skills you need to thrive in an AI-enabled world.

Accelerate your Microsoft career with the 90 Day Mentoring Challenge (https://www.90daymc.com/)

We’ve helped 1,300+ people across 70+ countries establish successful careers in the Microsoft Power Platform and Dynamics 365 ecosystem.

Benefit from expert guidance, a supportive community, and a clear career roadmap. A lot can change in 90 days, get started today!

Support the show (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/nz365guy)

If you want to get in touch with me, you can message me here on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/nz365guy).

Thanks for listening 🚀 – Mark Smith

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