Under the Surface

Unleashing the Power of Skills and Agents in AI

Imagine having AI that not only understands your data but can orchestrate complex tasks, create content, and even manage your organizational knowledge — all seamlessly integrated within your systems. In this episode, I (Rob Quickenden) and fellow MVP Ami Diamond pull back the curtain on how the pace of change in AI and new dimensions Microsoft Copilot is moving into continue to reshape productivity, tackle AI security and digital employee management, and leverage the latest multi-modal approach to multi-step co-work and decision-making at an unprecedented pace. Whether you're a technophile eager to harness the latest tools or a business leader trying to stay ahead of the curve, this conversation unlocks practical insights on the new AI landscape. Ami and Rob share behind-the-scenes stories of how Copilot innovations like Claude and GPT models are not just fancy features, but strategic assets transforming how organizations work — from automating workflows to creating intelligent agents that understand and act on complex instructions. Discover how Microsoft’s platform approach, model choices, and skill-based AI are removing silos, boosting collaboration, and reducing complexity in enterprise AI. We break down concepts like agents versus skills, model orchestration, and the importance of trust and governance - plus tangible tips on integrating AI into your organisation responsibly. The stakes are clear: organizations that understand and leverage these tools now will lead in productivity, security, and innovation. Those that don’t risk falling behind. This isn’t just about AI for automation — it’s about creating a new way to delegate human tasks to intelligent systems, freeing you to focus on what truly matters. This episode offers a compelling glimpse into a future where AI does more than assist—it orchestrates, enhances, and elevates our work. Stay curious, think differently, and prepare to see your organisation through a new lens. The next wave of productivity is here. Episode 10 - Recorded 10th May 2026

Microsoft 365 E7, Agent 365 and Work IQ

Episode 9 - Recorded: Episode 9 March 9th, 2026 In this insightful episode, I speak with Gareth Bleasdale from Microsoft about the transformative impact of AI, Microsoft 365 Copilot, and the future of autonomous agents in the workplace. Discover how these technologies are reshaping productivity, security, and organisational workflows with real business context (Work IQ), how we secure and govern agents with Agent 365 and also all about the New Frontier SKU Microsoft 365 E7 (the super suite). Topics * Microsoft 365 E7 - and its enterprise value * Work IQ and contextual AI understanding * Agent 365 - Governance and security of AI agents * The evolution of autonomous agents in the workplace * The importance of trust and responsible AI * How AI and Work IQ Are Transforming Business Operations Chapters 00:00 - Introduction to Microsoft Innovations 02:49 - The Impact of AI on Work Dynamics 04:42 - Understanding Microsoft 365 E7 Copilot 07:15- Work IQ: The Future of AI in Business 10:32- Navigating AI Tools and Compliance 13:32- The Evolution of User Interaction with AI 16:29 - Transforming Work Processes with AI 18:48 - The Future of Autonomous Agents in Work 22:19 - Empowering Users with AI Agents 25:37- The Evolution of Microsoft 365 and Copilot 28:41 - The Role of AI in Enhancing Productivity 31:19 - AGENT 365: Governance and Control of AI Agents 34:10- Navigating the Future of Work with AI 38:04 - Embracing Change and Continuous Learning 45:00 - ENDBlog Link: https://robquickenden.blog [https://robquickenden.blog]

Episode 8 -What is new in Copilot ( 2026 ) with MVP Ami Diamond

Summary In my first podcast of 2026, I talk to MVP Ami Diamond and discuss the evolving landscape of Microsoft Copilot and its impact on productivity and technology. We explore the role of MVPs in the tech community, the innovations brought by AI, and the future of AI models and integration. The conversation highlights the practical applications of Copilot in business, the importance of voice interaction, and the ongoing evolution of AI technology. Listeners gain insights into how these tools can enhance everyday life and improve business processes. We cover: - The MVP community - gratitude, sharing knowledge - Evolution of Copilot - How AI can be beneficial for various users, including those with disabilities. - Integration of different AI models within Microsoft products - Voice interaction and usecases - New Features in Copilot you may not know (yet) Chapters 00:00 Introduction to the MVP Community 02:38 Exploring Microsoft Copilot and AI Integration 05:22 The Role of AI in Everyday Productivity 08:14 Personalszation and User Interaction with AI 11:02 Comparing AI Models and Their Applications 14:00 The Future of AI in Microsoft Products 16:46 Understanding AI's Reasoning and User Experience 19:39 The Impact of AI on Data Analysis and Reporting 22:06 Enhancing Excel and PowerPoint with AI 24:50 Final Thoughts on AI's Evolution and Future 31:16 Harnessing AI Tools Effectively 32:42 Exploring Copilot Features 33:31 The Power of Pages and Notebooks 34:19 Innovations in Audio and Voice Technology 36:42 The Evolution of Voice Interaction 38:04 Understanding Copilot Actions 40:13 Navigating Consumer and Business AI Solutions 41:54 The Future of AI in Shopping 44:16 Enhancing User Experience with AI 45:20 The Rapid Evolution of AI Technology 46:15 Leveraging Custom Features in Copilot 47:40 More Copilot Features you need to know about 53:55 END :-)

Copilot Updates - Post Ignite 2025

Following Ignite 2025, Manesh Mistry and I discuss the rapid evolution of AI, focusing on advances with Microsoft's Copilot and its implications for businesses. In this podcast we explore some of the newest features coming to Microsoft 365 Copilot including GPT-5.2, Voice mode and video with Sora 2 Video. We also discuss the growing develops of Agentic AI, and how frontier firms are embracing the concept. We talk about the challenges and opportunities presented by AI in terms of security, governance, and how Agent 365 and Entra ID promises to help secure and govern such agents.

Microsoft Copilot: Looking at how far we have come

In this eposide I am joined by Manesh Minstry, a digitial artist and Microsoft 365 Copilot advisor,menror and prompting guru. We talk about the incredible pace of change, innovation,new features and new model support in Microsoft 365 Copilot. We cover the challenges around adoption, dispell some myths and re enforce Microsoft Enterprise Data Protection, Responsible AI and choice available to consumers and business prodessionals across every role and every industry. Tune in,to see how far it has come so far and how fast the innovation is coming.. 00:00 Introduction and Context Setting 02:22 The Evolution of Copilot Technology 05:17 Copilot Chat and Its Importance 07:35 Security and Compliance in AI Tools 10:19 The Role of Context in Copilot Usage 13:09 Voice Interaction with Copilot 15:34 Practical Applications of Copilot in Daily Life 17:40 Enhancing Prompting Techniques 19:53 The Future of AI Memory and Personalization 25:11 Utilizing AI for Personalization 28:51 Exploring Microsoft 365 Copilot and AI Models 34:05 The Evolution of AI Models 37:13 Harnessing Microsoft First Party Agents 40:51 The Future of AI Agents and Orchestration 44:19 Recent Developments in AI and Tools