Confessions of a Copilot Convert (AI in The Workplace)

There is always one in every team. The traditionalist. The spreadsheet warrior.

The person who insists that PowerPoint should be assembled slide by slide, by hand, with painstaking attention to detail.

There will always be that person who has a reputation for being ever-so-slightly suspicious of ‘shortcuts’, especially when those shortcuts involve artificial intelligence (AI).

When Microsoft Copilot started making its way into our daily workflows, the enthusiasm across the business was palpable. So, let’s tell you a story…

Teams were experimenting (I know we were and still are), in finding new ways to automate mundane tasks, and celebrate time saved. But in the midst of the excitement, one individual remained quietly resistant.

The resistance was not overly negative,  just sceptical. Whilst these colleagues were marvelling at AI-generated summaries, neatly drafted reports, and meeting notes that ‘magically’ wrote themselves, this team member was muttering phrases like “I like to have control,” and “It’s just not the same as doing it properly.”

To their credit, they had a point.

There is comfort in familiarity, and for many professionals, the notion of letting a digital assistant take over even small parts of their work can feel counterintuitive. However, this particular sceptic was about to experience a change of heart, and it started with one presentation.

 

The Breaking Point

The task was straightforward but time-consuming. A large presentation, over 40 slides, needed to be condensed into a short, executive-ready version.

Normally, this would involve hours of reformatting, editing, and deliberating over what to keep and what to cut. But this time, a colleague casually suggested trying Copilot in PowerPoint.

The suggestion was initially met with raised eyebrows. After all, why let an algorithm decide what’s essential?

Still, the suggestion lingered. The presentation was long, the deadline was tight, and curiosity eventually got the better of them. The Copilot pane was opened and a simple prompt was typed:

“Summarise this deck into five key slides for senior leadership, focusing on key outcomes and next steps.”

What happened next felt almost like magic.

In a matter of seconds, Copilot analysed the full presentation and created a concise, coherent version with well-structured points and clear flow.

There were no outrageous guesses or robotic tone. It was, in every sense, a solid first draft, something that previously would have taken an hour or more to produce manually.

And that was the moment everything changed…

 

The Journey from Scepticism to Adoption

After that initial breakthrough, Copilot started to become a regular presence.

It began slowly, with light experimentation, summarising documents, rephrasing tricky emails, and generating titles and outlines for blog posts. However, as the results continued to impress, so did their confidence in what Copilot could deliver.

In time, the same team member who once resisted automation became a go-to advocate within the business for AI-supported workflows. Where once there was suspicion, there was now enthusiasm. The mindset had shifted from “I don’t trust it” to “I wonder what else it can help with.”

What stands out in this transformation is not just the functionality of the tool, but the realisation that using Copilot well is a skill.

Prompting is not simply typing a vague request and hoping for the best. It’s about clear communication, thoughtful instruction, and iterative refinement.

The more specific and contextual the prompt, the better the results. Copilot thrives when given direction. Asking it to “write a summary” yields a different output from “summarise this two-page HR policy into bullet points suitable for onboarding slides, using a friendly tone.”

The difference lies in intent.

 

Prompting: A New Digital Literacy

One of the most interesting developments to come from Copilot’s adoption is the way it is reshaping digital literacy.

Knowing how to  be effective using M365 used to mean navigating spreadsheets, formatting documents, and finding the correct folder in the shared drive.

Today, it increasingly means knowing how to collaborate with AI in the workplace.

At Changing Social, prompting is now being treated as a core skill, not an optional extra.

Those who take the time to craft thoughtful prompts consistently get better results. They also work faster, delegate repetitive tasks more effectively, and find new ways to enhance productivity without compromising on quality.

There are tangible benefits, too…

Teams are producing high-quality drafts of internal communications in minutes, freeing up time for creative refinement rather than starting from scratch.

Sales staff are using Copilot to analyse client meeting notes and prepare tailored follow-ups.

HR teams are generating inclusive and consistent job descriptions across multiple roles. These are not hypothetical scenarios, they are daily realities for us.

 

Lessons Learned Along the Way

This journey from scepticism to advocacy has surfaced a number of valuable lessons that resonate well beyond one individual’s experience.

First and foremost, AI does not remove the human element; it just allows you to enhance it. Copilot does not replace decision-making, tone-setting, or strategic thinking. It simply accelerates routine or labour-intensive parts of work.

Secondly, success with AI depends on openness to change.

Even the most well-designed tools offer little value to those who refuse to engage with them. The initial resistance to Copilot was rooted in fear of losing control. But what was quickly discovered is that Copilot does not take control away, it gives it back, by letting users focus on what really matters within their work.

Lastly, good prompting is about working with intention. When people slow down to consider what they actually need from a piece of content or a task, they communicate more clearly with both AI and humans.

 

Building AI Confidence in the Workplace

The shift in mindset experienced by this Copilot convert is not unique. Across industries, professionals are moving from passive curiosity to active adoption. However, many are still in that early phase of uncertainty and wondering whether AI in the workplace is a passing fad, a future threat, or a practical tool for today.

At Changing Social, helping clients navigate this transformation is part of the core mission. Whether through tailored workshops, practical prompt-writing exercises, or guided Copilot onboarding, the goal is simple: to empower people to work smarter, not harder.

 

From Convert to Champion

The individual who once raised an eyebrow at the mention of AI in the workplace, is now the first to suggest a Copilot-powered shortcut. They are the one introducing others to the possibilities, sharing prompt templates, and encouraging colleagues to give it a try.

Their story is a reminder that adoption does not always come easily but when it does, the rewards are significant. Increased efficiency, improved collaboration, and a renewed sense of focus on meaningful work.

Because, ultimately, it is about freeing them from repetitive tasks, from creative fatigue, and from the limitations of doing everything alone.

The Copilot convert may have started as a sceptic. But today, they are a champion of a more empowered, efficient and digitally confident workplace. And they are not alone.

Will you be the next Copilot convert?