There is a notable buzz surrounding Microsoft Copilot in Australia, as numerous notable organizations have enlisted for Microsoft’s initial access and pre-launch testing phase.
Per Microsoft, 70% of users employing Copilot mention being more efficient, along with a 29% enhancement in operational speed for tasks like research, writing, and summarizing. Copilot’s usage is poised to escalate as Microsoft and its affiliates embed the AI tool directly into PCs and workflows.
Gartner recently issued a series of “pitfalls” associated with Copilot, and these are crucial considerations for Australian entities to ponder over to successfully plan implementations and leverage the benefits that Copilot brings.
Insight into Microsoft Copilot’s potential challenges
Gartner’s delineation of challenges across four categories essentially pinpoints areas where an implementation of Copilot might falter in delivering or present unforeseen obstacles to the organization. The challenges are segregated into four focal points: management, safety, data governance, and user experience.
Management
Organizations run the risk of increased vulnerability and expenses if:
- They overlook the appropriate setup configurations.
- The analysis tools lack detailed control.
- The opportunities for expanding Copilot and regulating expenses are not thoroughly comprehended.
Safety
Inadequate handling of Copilot usage may lead to a rise in the risk of leaked information. Additionally, there are new points of attack that need vigilance.
Data governance
In the absence of establishing priorities for data sources, overseeing the risk of data proliferation, and handling the fresh compliance and retention dilemmas Copilot introduces, organizations may not extract the desired quality responses from Copilot.
User experience
The belief that individuals will readily adopt Copilot and smoothly integrate it into their tasks seems to be misleading, as several entities report a more substantial than expected adjustment phase.
Thorough scrutiny
The amalgamation of these challenges signifies that Australian entities must initially comprehensively assess the advantages Copilot brings to the table, how it will be employed, and which team members will have access to it and the rationale behind their need for it.
Lacking in that thorough evaluation and subsequent strategic deployment, the chances are high that the entity will encounter unforeseen inefficiencies, expenses, or even reduced productivity due to an unexpected aspect of the AI.
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Australia’s position on the AI adoption curve
According to Gartner Senior Director Analyst Nate Suda in an interview with TechRepublic, Australia’s pace in embracing Copilot and coping with the potential pitfalls doesn’t hugely deviate from the global trend.
These challenges fundamentally signify that Copilot and other AI applications share similarities with the past phases of digital transformation a few years back or cloud computing a decade prior. In each instance, the technology’s value is acknowledged but the costs and benefits it will bring are not entirely understood.
SEE: Australia Is Embracing the Generative AI Era Swiftly (TechRepublic)
“The C-suite is under immense pressure, not just the CIO. CEOs are pressed by stakeholders to elucidate the company’s AI strategies,” expressed Suda.
“Many are recognizing the immense potential, and this discourse has been ongoing for a year now. For numerous entities, it’s time to embark on the journey. 2023 was a year of novelty where we could explore and experiment with it. However, the narrative in 2024 has shifted towards demanding ROI without Pilot Projects (POCs) or Minimal Viable Products (MVPs), companies yearn to witness tangible outcomes.”
Copilot is viewed as a strong steed to initiate AI projects, but chasing after that return on investment might entice organizations to stumble upon one or more of the Copilot pitfalls.
Approach of Australian Entities towards Copilot
Microsoft has deeply engaged with Australian businesses during Copilot’s development. In September 2023, Microsoft publicized that a variety of establishments were utilizing Copilot through its exclusive Early Access Program, including AGL, Data#3, Bupa, NAB, Powerlink Queensland, Rest Super, and Suncorp.
In April 2024, Microsoft disclosed that various Australian entities, such as Australian Super, Powerlink Queensland, and TAL, had adopted Copilot specifically to enhance their cybersecurity capabilities. Microsoft claims that adept security analysts are 22% quicker and 7% more precise with Copilot.
Copilot is also seen as a tool to uplift less experienced cybersecurity professionals and units, addressing the persistent scarcity of security skills.
SEE: Can Australia Overcome the Cybersecurity Talent Crisis?
The public sector is now onboarding Copilot, with more than 50 departments declaring the commencement of a six-month pilot of Copilot. Over 7,400 public servants are engaged in this initiative.
This program is being orchestrated by the Digital Transformation Agency, once again spotlighting the confluence between AI and transformation’s impacts on organizations as they adopt such solutions.
Citing Chris Fechner, the CEO of the Digitally Transformation Agency: “The APS and the DTA will continue to seek ways to elevate our Digital Government performance, as demonstrated by our inaugural OECD ranking and aspire to further enhancement in the upcoming years for the welfare of all Australians.”
“These objectives align seamlessly with the Government for the Future mission, which strives to leverage emerging technologies for furnishing secure, ethical, and contemporary data and digital technologies by 2030.”
Can Microsoft Copilot deliver as envisioned?
As entities transition from Copilot trials to its integration into their workflows, the crucial query remains whether these projects will fulfill expectations or whether entities will tumble into the pitfalls.
Historically, digital transformations were fraught with challenges when organizations heavily invested without due diligence as prompted by IT trends. As per data from 2020, 70% of projects failed to deliver substantial value.
Entities must adopt a strategic stance in evaluating, integrating, and subsequently gauging the outcomes from their investments in Copilot to ensure the anticipated benefits are truly realized.
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