Last week, I had the opportunity to attend Microsoft Envision, a one-day event that brought together thought leaders and industry experts to explore how AI can help businesses solve their most significant challenges and create new opportunities. It was an eye opening, insightful event that showcased the power and opportunities of AI, but also reinforced the risks, both of not doing anything but also of making sure that anything you decide to do is ethical and properly governed. It also reassured me that every industry and every organisation are tackling the same question, how do I use this for the benefit of my business and the people that work for me? There are some exemplars coming out, but most people are at the same stage of the journey. 

A number of themes emerged from the event: 

• AI can create opportunity. AI is here, and we need to embrace it, it will augment human capabilities, not replace them. AI can help businesses improve productivity, efficiency, innovation, and customer satisfaction. Microsoft have branded a number of elements under the Copilot banner, and a consistent theme is that it is called Copilot, NOT autopilot, the human user is both responsible and accountable for using AI and its output. 

• AI options are many and varied. Another important message from the event was that AI is not a generic technology, but a specific one. There are multiple technologies, multiple providers and multiple language models. AI needs to be customised and adapted to the specific needs of our organisation, aligned to our strategy, and goals. It is important that it aligns to the values and ethics of the university, to be used responsibly and transparently, with respect for privacy, compliant with all data privacy legislation. 

• AI is a collaborative endeavour. A third key message from the event was that AI requires teamwork and partnership between different stakeholders, such as university leaders, academics, developers, students, and security and compliance.  AI should be developed with diversity and inclusion in mind, ensuring that it reflects and serves the needs of our entire community. 

AI activities and initiatives at the University of Lincoln

A number of recent activities have been taking place within the University designed to address these themes, Digital Education have recently released the approved AI tool kit, offering guidance on adoption and use of AI services, including the first approved service BingChat for enterprise which will go live 30th October. A number of other initiatives are being considered, ranging from how we use embedded Microsoft tools (when they are available) all the way to achieving our own University virtual assistant. As with many things these will have to be assessed on the business value they can achieve. 

There are many interested professional service staff and academics sharing learning and experiences with using AI, and this collegiate approach will serve us well as we review the available technologies and options for deploying them. It would be good to hear from more of you that are interested in the topic, from experts to help guide or people just interested in using it in innovative ways. Consider joining our engagement group Generative AI in HE. 

The amount of tools is growing steadily and the University has to ensure that these are appropriately governed, so please ensure only approved tools are used, especially if any organisational data, literature or personal details are involved. Talk to us about gaps and innovative solutions – this could really help guide the future of AI in the University, and make sure we protect our data whilst taking advantage of new opportunities. 

With that, I’m going to put this into BingChat for Enterprise and see if it can write a better blog post than me!   

BingChat for Enterprise Version – “re-write this blog to be more entertaining” 

Last week, I had the chance to dive into the world of AI at Microsoft Envision. It was like stepping into a sci-fi movie, surrounded by thought leaders and industry experts all buzzing about how AI can transform businesses and create new opportunities. It was a day of revelation, showcasing the superpowers of AI, but also highlighting the risks – like being left behind or not ensuring ethical governance. It was comforting to know that we’re all in the same boat, grappling with the big question – how can we harness this for our business and our people? Sure, there are some trailblazers out there, but most of us are still finding our footing on this exciting journey. 

Here’s what I took away from this whirlwind event: 

• AI is a game-changer. AI is here, folks, and it’s time to get on board! It’s not about replacing us but enhancing our capabilities. AI can turbocharge businesses by improving productivity, efficiency, innovation, and customer satisfaction. Microsoft has a bunch of cool tools under the Copilot banner – and yes, it’s Copilot, NOT autopilot because we’re still in the driver’s seat when it comes to using AI. 
• AI isn’t one-size-fits-all. Another key takeaway is that AI isn’t a generic tool but a bespoke one. There are multiple technologies, providers and language models out there. AI needs to be tailored to our specific needs, aligned with our strategy and goals. It’s crucial that it aligns with our values and ethics, used responsibly and transparently, with respect for privacy and compliance with all data privacy laws. 
• AI is all about teamwork. A third nugget of wisdom from the event was that AI requires collaboration between different stakeholders – university leaders, academics, developers, students, security and compliance. AI should be developed with diversity and inclusion in mind, ensuring it reflects and serves the needs of our entire community. 

There’s been a flurry of activity at the University recently to address these themes. Digital Education has just released the approved AI toolkit offering guidance on adopting and using AI services. The first approved service BingChat for Enterprise is set to go live on October 30th! There are other exciting initiatives being considered too – from using embedded Microsoft tools (when they’re available) to creating our own University virtual assistant! 

There’s a growing community of professional service staff and academics sharing their experiences with using AI. This collaborative approach will serve us well as we explore available technologies and deployment options. We’d love to hear from more of you who are interested in AI – whether you’re an expert or just curious about using it in innovative ways. Consider joining our engagement group  Generative AI in HE! 

The number of tools is growing steadily and the University is committed to ensuring appropriate governance. So please make sure you only use approved tools, especially if any organisational data or personal details are involved. We’d love to hear your thoughts on gaps and innovative solutions – this could really help shape the future of AI at the University while ensuring we protect our data and seize new opportunities.