Inside Microsoft's Executive AI Experience, Seattle USA

2 min read

Our Director Jesse joined Microsoft’s for the Executive AI Experience in Seattle. After a huge three days immersed in everything Copilot and AI we’re now thinking about how this technology can add value for regional business operations.

When New Future IT received a very special invitation from Microsoft to attend their first Executive AI Experience at the Microsoft campus in Redmond, our Director Jesse packed his bags and headed for Seattle.

For three days, Jesse was at Microsoft's Executive Briefing Centre, immersing himself in all things Microsoft Copilot and AI. He learnt directly from the people shaping where this technology is heading, and explored what it means for businesses like the ones we support every day.

The long journey to the USA

Getting from the Territory to Seattle is no quick hop. Jesse's journey included a stopover in LA, where he snapped something you definitely won't see on Aussie roads: a Tesla Cybertruck. Crazy tech, and nothing like any truck we see in Australia!

Seattle welcomed him with cooler weather and trees turning red. A bit cold, but a very nice change of scenery for a Territorian.

Before the event began, Jesse visited the Museum of Flight in Seattle, a fitting warm up for a week all about what's next.

He also joined the Australian Microsoft team for dinner at The Cheesecake Factory in Bellevue, a great chance to connect before the real work started.

Three days in the room where it happens

For three days, Jesse was at Microsoft's Executive Briefing Centre, immersed in all things Microsoft Copilot and AI.

Not reading about it. Not watching a webinar. Learning directly from the people shaping where this technology is heading.

Jesse had direct access to Microsoft's latest thinking on AI, cloud, security, modern work and business transformation.

He watched Microsoft 365 Copilot and Copilot Chat draw on an organisation's own knowledge to summarise information, create content and help people make decisions faster, all from a simple question asked in plain language.

He saw how Copilot Autopilot compiles multiple tasks into one process to achieve multiple outcomes. And how GitHub Copilot is helping developers write better code, faster.

Then came the AI agents. Picture AI that doesn't just answer questions, but actually runs business processes, responds to requests and coordinates tasks with minimal human input. That's where things are heading.

Copilot Autopilot, Microsoft's latest AI Agent rounded it out, showing how new devices can be set up automatically, with stronger security and a consistent experience for every user.

Day three started with a hands on session alongside a wonderful group of people from across ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations).  Alongside the sessions Jesse connected with  representatives from the Fiji Government, connecting about the Oceanic region.

It was a reminder that we're part of a huge region full of people working through the same big questions about technology, opportunity and what comes next.

Inside the Future of AI

Then came the Microsoft Azure Cloud Collaboration Centre. Jesse called it "an hour glimpse into the future" and when you hear what he saw, it's hard to disagree.

Imagine terabytes of backup data stored on glass. Imagine data packed so densely it's built on a DNA model. Imagine data centres designed around retaining and saving water.

That's not science fiction. That's what Jesse saw. And it's the kind of thinking that sits behind the cloud services Territory businesses use every single day.

Jesse's absolute highlight of the experiance was clear:

Microsoft's Cybercrime Centre.

"Being inside the Microsoft Cybercrime Centre was something special. Seeing the work happening there every day to protect organisations from serious cyber threats was a powerful reminder of why security has to sit at the heart of everything we do for our clients." 

Standing beside him was Glen Hingley from the Chamber of Commerce, the two of them representing the Northern Territory in a place where the fight against cybercrime is happening right now.

The Main Message

The message from Microsoft that kept coming up was simple. AI is only as valuable as the data it can access and the security controls that govern it.

But it really comes down to trust. If your team doesn't trust AI, they won't use it. And that trust starts with an environment set up securely from day one.

So ask yourself a few honest questions. I

s your data organised and trustworthy?

Are your security, identity and access settings set up properly?

Is your sensitive information protected?

Is the right governance in place?

 And would your team trust AI to work safely inside those boundaries?

If any of those gave you pause, you're not alone, and that's exactly where we come in. We'll help you build that secure foundation first, so your team trusts AI, actually uses it and you see real, measurable results.

Why we made the journey

We support organisations where distance, connectivity and staff capacity shape everyday technology decisions. A promising AI idea still has to make sense for a team in Katherine, an organisation in Nhulunbuy or a business supporting people across remote locations of the NT or SA.

The Executive AI Experience gave Jesse time to explore Copilot and AI in depth, including hands-on learning. We want to translate that learning into clearer conversations with our clients: where could AI help, what foundations need attention, and what would a useful first step look like?

Regional businesses and communities deserve informed advice about emerging technology. We explore so we can be a better guide, bringing curiosity together with the care and practical understanding our clients need.

If AI is on your business agenda, we can help you work through where to begin...... Lets start the conversation.