On this week’s episode of the Practical 365 Podcast, I’m joined by Paul Thurrott, a name that should be familiar to most of our listeners. Paul has been covering Microsoft and Windows for an impressive 30 years, starting with writing books about Microsoft technologies back in 1993-1994. He’s been a constant presence in the industry ever since, including hosting the Windows Weekly podcast for over 16 years and running his own website, thurrott.com.
AI and Microsoft 365 Copilot: The Rush to Integrate
We kick off our discussion by delving into AI and Microsoft’s Copilot strategy. As Paul notes, “AI moves so fast, it’s hard to keep track of,” which nicely sums up the challenge many IT pros are facing. We’re seeing a collision between AI, which is advancing at breakneck speed, and traditional IT, which typically prefers a more measured approach to change.
We explore the challenges of implementing AI in enterprise environments, the necessity for human oversight to ensure accuracy, and the potential impact on jobs. However, we also discuss the potential for AI to act as a “co-pilot” in various professions, enhancing rather than replacing human capabilities.
Windows: Adapting to an AI-Driven World
Shifting our focus to Windows, Paul shares his thoughts on its future in an increasingly AI-centric world. As he puts it, “Windows is busy jamming AI into everything”. Microsoft is determined to keep Windows relevant as the tech landscape continues to evolve, but do they need to? After all, it is an operating system and it’s not unreasonable to leave the market clear for their partners and ISVs to develop AI-based applications for, and focus on making Windows more reliable.
We also touch on the growth of Linux as an alternative to Windows. As I mentioned during our chat, it’s had over 50% growth to almost a whole percentage point. While this growth is notable, it’s clear that Windows still dominates the desktop market for now.
Key Takeaways
- AI is evolving rapidly, creating both opportunities and challenges for businesses and IT pros.
- Microsoft is aggressively integrating AI into its products, including Windows and Microsoft 365.
- The role of AI in the workplace is likely to be more of an enhancer than a replacement for human skills.
- Windows continues to adapt to maintain its relevance in an AI-driven world.
- The tech landscape is more diverse than ever, offering more choices but also increasing complexity.
Join us in two weeks for our next episode, where we’ll be joined by we will be joined by Shinesa Cambric, a Principal Product Manager at Microsoft.
