The conversation delves into the importance of trust in technology adoption, particularly in the context of AI. Ana Welch, Andrew Welch, Chris Huntingford and William Dorrington discuss feedback from a previous episode, emphasizing the need for intentionality and vision in integrating new technologies. They also reflect on recent personal experiences that have shaped their perspectives on change and the importance of family. The discussion highlights the challenges organizations face in adopting AI, including fear of missing out (FOMO) and the necessity of proper change management and training to ensure successful implementation. The conversation delves into the complexities of technology adoption, focusing on the impact of training, change management, and the rapid evolution of tech. The speakers discuss the role of generative AI in transforming e-commerce, the potential of voice interfaces, and the challenges faced by users in adapting to new technologies. They also reflect on the rise of Nvidia and its implications in the tech landscape, alongside personal anecdotes about current events and technology experiences.

The conversation delves into the importance of trust in technology adoption, particularly in the context of AI. Ana Welch, Andrew Welch, Chris Huntingford and William Dorrington discuss feedback from a previous episode, emphasizing the need for intentionality and vision in integrating new technologies. They also reflect on recent personal experiences that have shaped their perspectives on change and the importance of family. The discussion highlights the challenges organizations face in adopting AI, including fear of missing out (FOMO) and the necessity of proper change management and training to ensure successful implementation. The conversation delves into the complexities of technology adoption, focusing on the impact of training, change management, and the rapid evolution of tech. The speakers discuss the role of generative AI in transforming e-commerce, the potential of voice interfaces, and the challenges faced by users in adapting to new technologies. They also reflect on the rise of Nvidia and its implications in the tech landscape, alongside personal anecdotes about current events and technology experiences.

In this conversation, Mark Smith and Ana Welch delve into the critical role of trust in business relationships, particularly in the context of AI and technology. They discuss the evolving dynamics of partnerships, especially with Microsoft, and how trust influences customer relationships. The conversation also explores the impact of AI on recruitment processes and the ethical considerations surrounding technology and trust.

In this conversation, Ana, Andrew, Chris and William reflect on their experiences at a recent event in Vegas, discussing highlights such as Trevor Noah's performance and insights from a cybersecurity panel. They delve into the implications of cybersecurity threats, the importance of Zero Trust policies, and the role of AI in managing insider risks. The discussion transitions to the concept of agents in AI, exploring their potential and the need for observability and responsible AI practices. They also emphasize the importance of human connection in technology and the necessity of critical thinking in navigating the evolving landscape of AI.

In this engaging conversation, the hosts discuss their upcoming trip to a conference in Vegas, and the importance of networking and outreach strategies. They delve into the launch of Cloud Lighthouse Learn, a new white paper on ecosystem architecture, and unveil an AI strategy framework designed to help organizations assess their readiness for AI adoption. The discussion emphasizes the value of cross-industry insights and the need for meaningful connections in professional settings.

The conversation covers various topics, including the Business Value Toolkit, challenges in quantifying business value, and tools for measuring the impact of the Power Platform. Ana, Chris, William, Andrew, and Mark discuss the limitations of traditional ROI calculations and the importance of demonstrating financial impact. They also explore the role of governance boards in AI implementations and the difficulties in assessing value in tech projects. Wrapping up with a lighthearted discussion on anniversary gifts, they emphasize the importance of storytelling, data-driven insights, and the strategic use of business value assessments.

In this conversation, Mark, Chris, and Ana discuss the topic of chaos engineering in AI solutions. They explore the challenges of building AI-infused container apps and the non-deterministic nature of AI models. They also discuss the need for transparency, governance, and responsible AI practices. The conversation touches on topics such as data reliability, grounding, security, continuous improvement, and the EU AI Act. Mark and Ana share their learning strategies, including reading books on data and engaging in conversations with AI experts. Chris mentions his curiosity-driven learning approach and his plan to take an Azure course on AI-infused apps. The conversation covers the topics of Copilot Studio, the role of citizen developers, the potential risks of AI agents, and the future of on-prem cloud. The hosts discuss the benefits of Copilot Studio and how it can provide the biggest value in terms of AI extensibility. They also emphasize the importance of retaining low-code power platform professionals in organizations. The conversation then shifts to the potential risks of AI agents and the challenges of monitoring and controlling their behavior. The hosts highlight the need for governance and proper training of AI agents. Finally, they speculate on the future of on-prem cloud and the potential impact of AI on data ownership and compensation for creators.

In this conversation, Anna discusses the prominence of AI in the tech industry and the challenges organizations face in implementing AI solutions. They also touch on the importance of data management and the need for a strong data foundation. The conversation highlights the potential of AI to improve operational efficiency and the role of consultants in uncovering AI problems in organizations. They also discuss the concept of AI washing and the need for transparency in AI adoption.

The conversation with Andrew, Ana and Mark covers various topics including the functionality of the Riverside platform, the importance of communication and commitment in team collaborations, the introduction of the white paper on Power Platform in a Modern Data Platform Architecture, and the flexibility of integrating Power Platform into different data architectures. The conversation explores the principles of data integration and the application of Power Platform and Azure Data Services in creating a modern data platform architecture. The main themes include data consolidation, data distribution, and the role of Microsoft partners in implementing these concepts. The conversation emphasizes the importance of starting with Dataverse and gradually scaling up the data integration techniques. The response to the white paper on this topic has been overwhelmingly positive, with many organizations and individuals expressing interest in implementing these principles.

The conversation covers the post-event reflections on Dynamics Minds, the experience of attending the event, and the panel discussion on the importance of co-pilots in the cloud ecosystem. It also includes humorous anecdotes and personal experiences shared by the speakers. The conversation covers a wide range of topics related to AI, copilot, ecosystem architecture, and the need for AI literacy. It delves into the importance of adopting Copilot, the role of Copilot in AI interaction, and the impact of AI on various industries. The discussion also explores the challenges and opportunities in building an ecosystem, the need for diverse perspectives, and the future of AI in healthcare.

In this special episode recorded at the Dynamics Minds conference in Portorož, Slovenia, hosts Mark Smith, Andrew Welch, William Dorington, and Chris Huntingford discuss a range of topics from Chris's frustrating travel experience to the vibrant atmosphere and engaging sessions of the conference. They delve into the importance of data in technology, focusing on Power Platform and Microsoft Fabric, and emphasize data security and ecosystem architecture. The discussion highlights the transformative potential of AI, including AI agents and advancements in technology, while stressing the need for good data hygiene and the rapid evolution of data management practices. The episode combines humour with deep insights into current tech trends and future directions.

The conversation revolves around the topic of why the traditional IT project is dead and what is replacing it. The hosts discuss the outdated project-based model and the need for a more fluid and adaptable approach. They also touch on the impact of cloud technology and the changing nature of managed services. The conversation includes humorous anecdotes and personal experiences. The conversation discusses the changing nature of IT projects and the need for a shift in the traditional project-based model. It highlights the overlap and interdependence of different technologies and the importance of having a mix of skills. The conversation also touches on the challenges faced by implementation partners and the need for organizations to adapt to new business models. The concept of the tyranny of the deliverable is explored, emphasizing the importance of understanding the wider picture and focusing on incremental progress. The conversation concludes with an analogy of diving into a waterfall, highlighting the potential risks and unknowns in projects.

The conversation addresses AI's impact on technology, debunking fears, exploring AGI, privacy, and decision-making improvements. It discusses AI's potential for job creation versus displacement, comparing it to electricity's historical impact. The importance of adaptability, skill-upgrading, and supportive public policies during technological transitions is emphasized. The dialogue advocates for open discussions on AI's broad societal impacts.

The conversation explores the roles of solution architects and enterprise architects in the technology landscape. It delves into the difference between the two roles and the challenges faced by enterprise architects in assembling technology across different product families. The discussion also touches on the concept of being technology agnostic and the importance of educating enterprise architects. The conversation highlights the need for Microsoft to provide more targeted content and frameworks for enterprise architects, particularly in the Power Platform and Azure ecosystems.

The conversation explores the perception of low code with procoders and the need to redefine its enterprise value. It discusses the challenges faced by professional developers and architects in adopting low code platforms like the Power Platform. The conversation highlights the importance of building on top of existing platforms and the benefits of rapid development and cost savings. It emphasizes the need for re-education and enterprise adoption of low code solutions. The conversation also questions whether the term 'low code' accurately represents the capabilities and potential of these platforms. The conversation explores the democratization and evolution of technology, the importance of control, the shift to low-code development, resistance to change and fear of losing control, the transition to the cloud, the need for education and change management, misconceptions about Dataverse and stored procedures, the risks of citizen development, loopholes and security risks, the complexity of the Power Platform, the perception of Canvas apps, the value of SharePoint and managed environments, the importance of software economics, solutions and education, and the debate between premium and freemium licensing.

The conversation explores the importance of falling in love with the problem rather than the solution. It emphasizes the need to focus on outcomes rather than outputs and challenges the traditional mindset of measuring productivity. The discussion also delves into the role of IT in organizations and the need for organizational change to fully embrace new technologies. Finally, it addresses the question of where Power Platform should sit in large organizations and the challenges of IT culture. The conversation explores the need for change management in organizations and the potential shift of governance and security responsibilities from IT to facilities management. It also discusses the blending of roles between infrastructure engineers and application developers, and the opportunity to reshape the future of IT. The conversation concludes with the idea of a department of innovation and the split of responsibilities in large enterprises.

In this episode, the hosts discuss the importance of having a clear strategy and understanding the why behind cloud adoption and technology investments. They highlight the challenges organizations face when they lack a clear vision and the need for collaboration across different departments. The conversation also touches on the impact of silos and the need for organizations to bridge the gap between business outcomes and technology implementation. The hosts emphasize the value of incremental adoption, enablement, and proving outcomes to gain buy-in from stakeholders. They also discuss the misconceptions around citizen development and the disconnect between conference organizers and audience interests.

In this episode, the hosts discuss the preparation for artificial intelligence in 2024. They highlight the importance of data consolidation, governance, and the use of AI tools for quick wins. The conversation also touches on the practical applications of AI in daily life and the need for AI to be infused into all aspects of work. The hosts explore the excitement and optimization potential of AI, as well as the legal and ethical considerations surrounding its use. They discuss the challenges of demonstrating AI reasoning and the balance between AI advancements and regulations.

In this conversation, Andrew Welch discusses a white paper titled 'Crafting Your Future Ready Enterprise AI Strategy.' The paper addresses the need for organizations to take a strategic approach to implementing artificial intelligence (AI) and highlights the importance of data readiness. Welch emphasizes the distinction between incremental AI, which brings efficiency to existing tasks, and differential AI, which represents groundbreaking advancements. He also discusses the role of low code in scaling AI and the need for consistency in data access and rights. The conversation concludes with appreciation for the valuable insights provided in the white paper.

With twinkling lights, baubles, questionable sweaters, gnomes, and patriotic Christmas stockings, Mark, Andrew, Ana, and Chris celebrate the holidays and the year’s last episode of the Ecosystems podcast. Together, we explore AI's practical business applications, our takes on the recent chaos at Open AI, and our thoughts on a great listener question. Microsoft Ignite is just weeks behind us, so we close out the year by sharing our favourite Christmas gifts from Microsoft, new or now generally available tech that has us really excited.