9 ANDY CLAYTON-SMITH: EXECUTIVE EDITOR WELCOME: AUTUMN 2023 The term ‘generative AI’ has become somewhat ubiquitous. In March 2023, Microsoft launched Copilot, which uses partner Open AI’s ChatGPT large language models to offer customers new ways of manipulating data to deliver highly personalised, subject-specific content across the entire family of Microsoft products. Heralded by Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella as “the next major step in the evolution of how we interact with computing” which will “fundamentally change the way we work and unlock a new wave of productivity growth”, generative AI-powered solutions such as Copilot are expanding processes previously confined to the IT department to every corner of the workplace. This new-found ability to move beyond the confines of simple data interrogation will have potentially far-reaching implications for all areas of modern work and social life. “Frontline productivity is the first thing that comes to mind when asked about the benefits of AI-driven products,” says Satish Thomas, Microsoft’s corporate vice president (CVP) for industry clouds, in our cover story on page 44, where he joins CVP for global industry marketing Kathleen Mitford to discuss how Microsoft Cloud and AI technologies are increasing workforce productivity. As we unlock these new avenues to data, we must all ensure generative AI is used safely and effectively. Antony Cook, CVP and deputy general counsel, highlights how Microsoft is guiding the shift towards responsible AI use on page 36. Other executives from Microsoft and its partner ecosystem discuss this topic in features, interviews and viewpoints elsewhere in this issue. I hope you enjoy the read. A new age of data accessibility for all
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