Microsoft is working with a network of partners to drive Copilot adoption, with Garda claiming that 13,000 partners worldwide are offering solutions on Copilot to more than 50,000 customers. However, Gartner's research found that many organizations are not yet running M365 Copilot at scale, with only 6% reporting moving to a large-scale deployment. Furthermore, 40% of respondents cited "oversharing and security concerns" as significant impacts on Copilot deployments. Despite these challenges, Microsoft remains optimistic about the future of AI, with Garda stating that the move to AI is happening faster than the move to the cloud.
Key takeaways:
- Microsoft is heavily investing in Generative Artificial Intelligence, having reportedly sunk $13 billion into OpenAI and spending significantly on datacenters to manage the technology.
- Microsoft is trying to convince business buyers to get behind Copilot, a tech integrated into its software portfolio, and Copilot + PCs, but customers are struggling to justify the higher costs of AI PCs.
- Microsoft is working with a network of ISVs and partners like Computacenter to develop applications and support customers in adopting the technology, with 13,000 partners worldwide currently working with Copilot.
- Despite the heavy investment in AI by Microsoft and other tech giants, the return in terms of end-user revenue is low, with the channel largely excluded from the benefits.