Seven steps for building a Copilot+ PC device strategy

Copilot+ PCs use a neural processing unit (NPU) to efficiently process AI workloads on the device. Their arrival creates exciting new possibilities. But because Copilot+ PCs are new, most organizations are just beginning to build a strategy for evaluating and acquiring them. In fact, 60% of leaders worry their organization’s leadership lacks a plan and vision to implement AI*.   

As a result, there’s an opportunity for early adopters to innovate and outcompete. In this blog, we provide a roadmap for incorporating Copilot+ PCs into your device strategy to help you make the most of fast-moving technology innovation.    

Defining your AI strategy in seven steps   

These steps can help you tailor your Copilot+ PC device strategy to your business goals. With the right devices in the right hands, you can open up opportunities for innovation and efficiency to gain a competitive edge.   

1. Assess capabilities and determine goals   

Evaluate existing infrastructure and identify areas where the ability of AI to help employees create content, streamline workflows, and collaborate more effectively can deliver the greatest impact.   

Areas include:   

• Improving operational efficiency   

• Enhancing customer experiences   

• Streamlining collaboration   

• Accelerating creativity   

• Advancing research and development   

2. Define success metrics   

Measuring whether your AI strategy is working depends on having benchmarks for the outcomes you want to achieve. Qualitative factors are easier to define, but quantitative metrics offer greater precision for evaluating performance.   

Potential benchmarks:   

• Average customer response times   

• Number of tasks automated   

• Improved predictive maintenance   

• Time savings per employee per cycle   

• Meetings eliminated   

• Number of communications crafted   

• Employee capability enhancements   

3. Consider where specific AI workflows belong   

Think through specific employee roles and personas to look for areas where on-device AI capabilities could help.   

Think about who will benefit most from the following features:   

• Better battery life   

• Enhanced collaborative experiences   

• Premium audiovisual capabilities   

• The opportunity to experiment with AI development   

• Enhanced security   

• Greater accessibility   

4. Understand the AI user personas in your business   

Not everyone shares the same level of enthusiasm about Copilot+ PCs in the workplace. Structuring how you think about employees’ differing attitudes can help you tailor adoption and change management tactics when rolling out Copilot+ PCs.    

Here’s one way to think about different levels of employee excitement around AI:   

• Adopters   
  Adopters are looking for advanced tools, leader sponsorship, and guidelines or examples to fuel further exploration. 

• Observers   
  Observers benefit from educational resources, positive use cases, and opportunities to engage with optimistic adopters.  

• Bystanders   
  To encourage bystanders to move forward, leaders need to provide concrete evidence of AI’s value, certainty about its ethical use, and assurance that their jobs are secure.   

Tip: Incorporate optimists and early adopters into your pilot program or initial rollout stage to capitalize on their expertise, engagement, and leadership.   

5. Build on existing knowledge   

Copilot+ PCs are premium Windows devices with advanced security and manageability built in. They work with the existing endpoint management solutions you use to manage your existing fleet and feature the familiar Windows experiences employees rely on every day. Familiarity and compatibility empower employees to adopt new features quickly and build organizational confidence to move forward.    

Tip: Emphasize the continuity between previous Windows PCs and premium Windows devices optimized for the AI era: Surface offerings including Surface Copilot+ PCs and Copilot+ PCs.   

6. Conduct learning and development initiatives   

We designed the capabilities on Surface Copilot+ PCs to be intuitive and seamless. You can stay ahead of the curve by offering continuous learning around this fast-evolving technology. Incorporate resources from AI providers and platforms like LinkedIn Learning or Microsoft Viva Learning.   

These could include the following subjects:   

• AI security and data protection   

• Prompt engineering   

• Scenario-specific use cases   

• Low-code/no-code development     

7. Assess built-in security capabilities   

Evaluate the security capabilities of Copilot+ PCs. Consider crucial features for defending your devices against modern threats.   

Capabilities include:   

• Seamless and effective user authentication methods   

• Protection against complex threats like firmware and supply chain attacks   

• Continually and automatically updated protections     

Augment your technology strategy with Surface Copilot+ PCs   

Microsoft designed the latest generations of Surface devices to help businesses make the most of powerful new AI technology. Through elevated design, premium experiences, and business-ready security and privacy, you can confidently choose Surface to keep your organization on the forefront of innovation.   

Start building the AI strategy that will create the best experience for your employees and drive the greatest results for your business. Read the e-book for a step-by-step guide to finding and adopting Copilot+ PCs: https://info.microsoft.com/ww-landing-capturing-the-opportunity-of-microsoft-surface-copilot-plus-pCs.html  

^*Microsoft, AI at Work Is Here. Now Comes the Hard Part: 2024 Work Trend Index Annual Report, May 2024.