AI Questions Answered: What We Learned from Our Microsoft AI Event

AI is moving quickly, but for many businesses, the biggest questions remain surprisingly practical. Where should we start with AI? How can we use it effectively? What can Microsoft Copilot actually do for our people? And what is the best practice to keep our business safe when using it?

Those were some of the questions at the heart of our latest event at Aspen Solutions, where we were delighted to welcome Manesh Mistry from Microsoft for an insightful and engaging session on AI and its growing role in business.

A big thank you to Microsoft’s Manesh Mistry

We were delighted to be joined by Manesh Mistry, Senior Technical Specialist at Microsoft, who works with customers around Copilot and Microsoft Teams. Manesh brought a wealth of experience and practical insight to the discussion, helping to cut through some of the noise surrounding AI and focus on what matters for businesses. His session gave attendees the opportunity to explore the possibilities of Microsoft Copilot, ask questions and consider how AI could be applied within their own organisations.

Manesh gave us insights into his working day and his favourite element on Copilot Premium, the Facilitator Agent. This turn content into insights and improve team collaboration during meetings – it is voice activated too!

For businesses considering Microsoft Copilot, some of the important questions include:

• Which teams could benefit most from Copilot?
• What repetitive tasks could AI help reduce?
• How can employees use AI without losing the human element?
• How can organisations measure the value they are getting from AI?
• What security and data considerations need to be addressed?
• How can businesses encourage people to adopt AI successfully?

These are the kinds of questions that can turn an AI conversation into a practical business strategy. Another important theme from the event was that successful AI adoption isn’t simply about buying a new tool. It is about people, processes and technology working together. Businesses need to understand what they want AI to achieve, identify suitable use cases and give employees the confidence and guidance to use AI effectively.

Three stories that brought AI to life

Following Manesh, we had our very own, Ben Mearns with three very different, but entertaining stories for the room:

• AI helped choose Scotland’s next football manager via Sports Intelligence.

• At the 2026 World Humanoid Robot Games in Beijing, a Tiangong Ultra humanoid robot ran 100 metres in 8.64 seconds, not only breaking the robot 100m record, but breaking itself running straight into the wall.

• Scrolls that were carbonised by the eruption of Vesuvius in AD79 that would crumble to dust if touched, AI is helping researchers virtually unwrap and read them.

This was Ben’s first time speaking at one of our events and we’re delighted to say he did an excellent job!

What’s next for AI at Aspen Solutions?

Graham Byars from Aspen Solutions gave an excellent closing talk on getting the foundations right from the start and that starts with educating your team on best practice! We’re continuing to explore how AI can help businesses improve productivity, strengthen the way they work and make better use of the technology they already have.

Whether you’re already using AI across your organisation or you’re still trying to work out where to begin, we’re always happy to have a conversation.

A great session of questions, conversations and ideas

We’d like to say a huge thank you to Manesh, Ben & Graham for providing great talks today, and to everyone who came along to Aspen Solutions and contributed to the discussion. The event was an opportunity to bring businesses together, share ideas and have an open conversation about one of the biggest technology developments facing organisations today. Most importantly, it reinforced something we see regularly at Aspen Solutions: AI doesn’t have to be complicated. The right starting point is often simply asking the right questions. And there are plenty more questions still to answer!

“I would like to thank everyone who attended today. It was very busy room and it was great to showcase the latest advances from Microsoft Copilot.
My full appreciation goes to all the team at Aspen Solutions for their forward-thinking approach and support in hosting these events.”
Manesh Mistry, Senior Technical Specialist at Microsoft
(You can follow Manesh on LinkedIn and on his YouTube channel too.)

Have questions about AI, Microsoft Copilot or how your business could make better use of technology? Get in touch with the Aspen Solutions team at hello@aspensolutions.co.uk

Keep up-to-date on the latest team news, events and products by following our LinkedIn page or by subscribing to our newsletter by clicking here.