Microsoft is going all in with artificial intelligence. Much of the news at last week's Microsoft Build conference was around the company's AI announcements, underscoring its keen focus on this ever-emerging technology.
As CRN reported, some of the AI announcements included the launch of Copilot-integrated Microsoft Fabric—the company's analytics platform; enhancements in Copilot Studio and Azure AI Studio; as well as other AI-heavy products.
Now Microsoft has released an emerging AI trends list for business IT in a blog post. Microsoft surveyed more than 2,000 IT professionals across 10 countries, it said in its post, on their thoughts around AI.
"As AI is set to transform every industry, many IT leaders and IT departments are moving quickly to implement AI tools in their organizations. Yet despite the levels of productivity and innovation that AI can help them achieve, many feel uncertainty," the post read.
Here are seven key AI trends, according to Microsoft's survey results:
1. AI Expectations Are High Among Those Surveyed
Seventy-five percent of IT professionals surveyed said AI would have a positive impact on their company. An equal amount said AI will make their jobs easier.
2. AI At Work
Sixty-eight percent said they have already implemented AI in their work.
3. This Is The Most Important Characteristic of AI Providers
Among those surveyed, most respondents ranked "a high degree of model accuracy," as the most important feature of an AI provider.
4. Moving Too Fast
Sixty percent said AI is advancing at a pace faster than their organization can keep up with.
5. Usurping Resources
Fifty-five percent said AI will divert resources from other areas of IT.
6. AI Teams
Fifty-seven percent said they had a team dedicated to AI.
7. Top AI Concern
Fifty-six percent said data safety and privacy was their top concern about AI.
Microsoft shares more statistics and guidance on AI in the full blog post here.
