How can AI be consumed within the Power Platform?
-Almost Everyone
Welcome to the multipart blog series that jumps into the exciting realm of AI within the Power Platform. Over the course of this series, we will journey through the landscape of artificial intelligence, exploring its foundational concepts, the distinction between AI and Generative AI, and how Microsoft’s AI stack is empowering innovation. We’ll then dive into the dynamic duo of Copilot and the Power Platform, uncovering the seamless synergy that brings AI capabilities to your fingertips. Buckle-up as we unravel the mysteries of the deep and unveil the potential of AI integration within the Power Platform ecosystem.
Part 2: The Era of Enablement: Low Code with AI vs. AI Alone
Part 3: Copilot within the Power Platform
Part 4: Using Generative AI as a Service within the Power Platform
Part 5: AI Builder
Part 6: Hybrid Solution Approach
Part 7: The Importance of Data Culture and Governance
Part 1: Navigating the Depths of AI: Microsoft Copilot and Power Platform Illuminating the Way
What is AI?
AI, or Artificial Intelligence, is the overarching concept of simulating human-like intelligence in machines. It involves creating algorithms that can process data, learn from it, and make decisions or predictions based on that data. I think most everyone here on earth is familiar with this concept but what I usually find less familiar is how this differs from Generative AI.
Generative AI is a specialized subset of AI that focuses on creating new content, such as images, text, music, or even entire designs. Think of it as a chef who doesn’t just follow recipes but invents new dishes from scratch. While I will focus on AI as a whole I bring it up to help paint a better timeline and context to understanding the AI landscape and why it’s important to revisit now.
Generative AI has gained popularity because it adds a creative twist to the broader field of AI. It allows machines to generate content that was previously thought to be exclusive to human creativity. This has sparked immense interest, as people are fascinated by the idea of AI not just mimicking, but also contributing to human creativity. Generative AI has brought AI closer to our daily lives by enabling applications like image synthesis, art generation, and creative writing, making the technology more engaging and relatable.
Most importantly, the shock of Generative AI has prompted a multiverse of companies to increase their footprint and investment in this space. Microsoft, of course a pioneering force in the tech realm, has now two powerful frontline tools built on the foundation of OpenAI technology – Microsoft Copilot and Power Platform – that are poised to redefine how organizations consume and utilize AI.
AI in the Microsoft Ecoverse
Within Microsoft there is Azure, and virtually all AI lives in Azure. There are different parts of Azure, but at the end of the day it’s all azure. What differs are the mechanisms that are used to consume and why. Drawing an intriguing parallel to the layers of the ocean, these tools present a seamless progression from the sunlit surface to the profound depths, mirroring the complexity and accessibility of AI integration.
The Sunlight Zone: Microsoft Copilot
Much like the sunlight zone, where vibrant life thrives near the water’s surface, Microsoft Copilot offers a user-friendly entry point into the realm of AI. Copilot acts as a turnkey of guiding light for makers. Everyone that is not a professional developer is a maker in my book. To be clear, Copilot isn’t a product (other than by label), but it is a creation tool that sits atop multiple platforms. For example, Copilot for Power Platform assists developers in writing code more efficiently by providing auto-suggestions and contextually relevant snippets. In some cases you can write and the solution will be so. It can also be leveraged to pose questions about your data, right within the app. In 356 Copilot, Power Point presentations can be created from yesterday’s Teams call ideation session. Its AI-powered capabilities accelerate the creation process, allowing faster time to fruition and more time spent on what matters most. Copilot’s ability to understand and predict the maker’s intent empowers users to dive into AI with confidence, just as marine life flourishes under the nurturing sun.
The Twilight Zone: Power Platform and AI Builder
Descending into the twilight zone of the ocean, we encounter a realm that requires adaptation and resilience. Similarly, Power Platform with AI Builder provides organizations with a versatile environment to build customized AI solutions without delving into complex coding intricacies. This platform empowers business users to create AI-infused applications, workflows, and chatbots through intuitive interfaces. Its drag-and-drop approach and pre-built templates shed light on AI implementation, bridging the gap between technical and non-technical users. Power Platform serves as the threshold to deeper AI integration, where innovation meets simplicity.
The Midnight Zone: Deeper with Power Platform and Custom Models
As we venture further into the depths, we enter the midnight zone, where unique and mysterious creatures inhabit the inky blackness. Power Platform’s more advanced capabilities, such as the development of custom models using AI Builder, allow users to craft AI models tailored to their specific needs. This zone symbolizes the growing complexity of AI tasks. Organizations can harness AI Builder to create predictive models, automate processes, and extract insights from data. Just as life adapts to the obscurity of the midnight zone, businesses can adapt and thrive using Power Platform’s intricate AI functionalities.
The Abyss: Azure AI
The abyssal depths of the ocean, a place of remarkable mystery, parallel Azure AI’s profound capabilities. Azure AI offers a comprehensive suite of services that cater to diverse AI requirements, from computer vision to natural language processing. This layer represents the profound sophistication AI can achieve, but with it comes an escalated level of expertise and effort. Organizations willing to explore the abyss of AI can unlock transformative potential, albeit with the acknowledgment of greater complexity and resource commitment.
The Trenches: Machine Learning
Deeper still, we reach the trenches – the most remote and extreme areas of the ocean. Similarly, machine learning ventures into the most intricate and complex AI endeavors. Delving into the trenches demands a deep understanding of algorithms, data analysis, and model training. This level of AI sophistication corresponds to an organization’s ability to navigate the depths of AI, akin to the prowess of deep-sea explorers.
Swimming Out
In conclusion, Microsoft has strategically prepared a host of AI tools and platforms for your consumption. These tools illuminate the path to AI adoption, allowing users to harness AI’s transformative potential with varying degrees of complexity and effort. Whether staying in the sunlit shallows or plumbing the depths of the abyss and trenches, Microsoft’s AI offerings empower organizations to navigate the profound waters of innovation with confidence and ease.
In Part 2, I will discuss Low Code with AI vs. AI Alone and that this approach is a crucial foundation that will forge an organizations backbone for success in the Era of Enablement.
