Bringing AI fluency to every corner of the organization (even yours!)
Ashley Masters Hall joined Microsoft more than five years ago, just a month after earning her undergraduate degree. She’s currently a learning manager at Microsoft, focused on AI skilling for business pros. In this first blog post in a series of three, she shares her insightful and relatable perspective on AI fluency and skills for everyone in the organization. I was driving to an appointment recently, and I was reminded of the days when we used to print out directions at home and then try to follow them while driving. That was until GPS and later map apps came along. Suddenly, we had real-time guidance and rerouting from our phones. At first, we might have been reluctant to give up our familiar (though inefficient and unsafe) habit of wrangling printed directions behind the wheel. But once we experienced the speed and simplicity of GPS, there was no going back. AI is having its GPS moment. Two years ago, AI was this mysterious thing, a shiny object we weren’t sure we needed. Now, it’s the default way to navigate (and even orchestrate) work. Just like GPS didn’t replace driving, AI doesn’t replace thinking. It removes friction, gives us faster paths, and lets us focus on better outcomes. So the question isn’t, “Will AI change work?” It already has. The real question is, “Are you fluent enough to lead with it?” Regardless of your role or team, AI is likely already part of your world. In this blog post, the first in a series of three, I share practical tips, including six easy steps, that turn AI from a buzzword into your work GPS. What I mean by AI fluency (no jargon, I promise) Let me first define AI fluency. AI fluency is the degree of understanding and ability to interact effectively with generative AI. It’s recognizing when AI will add value and inspiration, plus having the skills to incorporate it into your workflows and tasks. AI skills are now foundational for everyone in every department. These skills not only help set you apart but also help keep you in the mix as work and roles evolve. We’ve seen a shift in the job market toward skills efficiency rather than work experience. In fact, according to the January 2025 LinkedIn Economic Graph Work Change Report: AI Is Coming to Work, “By 2030, 70% of the skills used in most jobs will change, with AI emerging as a catalyst.” Five years ago, when I was interviewing for jobs, my differentiators were my work experience and the Microsoft Certifications I had earned, which verified my expertise and abilities with Microsoft Office apps. But in interviews last year, most of the questions I got were about how I use AI today and how I’d apply it in the role. That’s the reality: AI fluency isn’t a future skill, it’s a “now skill.” It’s the differentiator that hiring managers seek. They want to know the real-world ways that you’re putting AI to work. Why this matters for your role (for every role, actually) If you’re wondering what AI looks like in your day-to-day work, you’re not alone. Let’s explore its practical applications for different teams and tasks. Marketing. If you’ve ever stared at a blank page trying to translate “We need a campaign” into an actual brief, AI can get you to a starting point fast. Maybe not the final answer, but a decent first draft that you can shape in your voice, for your audience and your goals. Sales and other customer-facing roles. AI is fantastic for meeting prep and follow-ups, like summarizing account notes, pulling themes from call transcripts (if they’re available), and drafting a clean recap email for you to personalize. The magic isn’t the email itself; it’s being able to more quickly and more clearly join in the conversation. Finance. Sometimes the hard part isn’t the analysis but the explanation. AI can help you draft the narrative: what moved, why, what questions a leader might ask, and what you should verify before you hit Send. Human resources (HR). AI can help turn good intentions into clear language, like job descriptions that match the role, onboarding plans that don’t overwhelm people, and summaries of themes you’re hearing so you can act on them before they get lost in the noise. Operations and program management. If your job involves herding context across multiple stakeholders, AI can help you turn chaos into structure, with action trackers, risk lists, crisp status updates, and decision logs you don’t have to rewrite every time. Legal/compliance (with the right guardrails). AI can help you triage, summarize, and spot inconsistencies. And then (pay close attention to this part) people do the actual review. Fluency includes knowing when to stop and bring a human into the loop. If you’re looking for a practical first step, regardless of your role, start with something familiar: email. Watch How to Prompt: Drafting Emails, and learn how Microsoft 365 Copilot can help you get to a first draft in seconds. One thing we shouldn’t gloss over here: AI can speed you up, but it doesn’t take responsibility for you. If you send it to a customer, put it in a deck, or use it to make a decision, you own it, so don’t forget the human layer. That’s the job. It doesn’t need to be scary, but it shouldn’t be overlooked. Get started with AI this week (an easy six-step plan that fits in your real life) If you do one thing after reading this post, don’t make it “Learn AI.” Make it “Pick one task you already do, and run it through a better workflow.” Choose one repeatable workflow. Think of something you do weekly, like meeting prep, a status update, a customer recap, a brief, or a summary. Decide what “better” means to you. Faster? Clearer? Fewer back-and-forth edits? More consistent output? Start with low-risk inputs. Use public info or your own notes while you get more comfortable with the tools. Give Microsoft 365 Copilot a task. Tell it the goal, context, source, and expectations, including the format you need, like bullets, a table, an email, or a memo. Check the work. Verify the facts, including names, numbers, and anything sensitive. Ask Copilot what might be missing. Save the good prompt. Keep it for future reference and reuse. No need to reinvent the wheel every time. Start strong with AI Skills Navigator When people ask me where to start, I have a simple answer: AI Skills Navigator, an agentic learning space that helps you build AI skills (even without a technical background) by bringing together AI-powered skilling experiences, credentials, and training. It makes learning feel approachable. Flexible formats, like short videos, AI‑generated podcasts, quick summaries, and guided skilling sessions, fit naturally into your day in the ways you learn best. This mix of formats helps you get started without feeling overwhelmed, stay engaged as priorities change, and keep up your momentum. AI doesn’t have to feel big. Make it small. Pick one task. Do it once with help. Keep what worked. Repeat it next week. And if you want an easy way to stay on track, start with (and keep coming back to) AI Skills Navigator. It’s like a learning “home base.” Assess where you are, choose a pathway by role or function, and build a habit of learning with small, steady steps. You may be surprised by how far a little AI fluency can take you.AI and human potential: Advancing skills, innovation, and outcomes
When empowered employees put AI skills into action, true transformation begins. Across industries and around the world, organizations are teaming up with Microsoft to help their employees learn the skills they need to put AI into practice. Building AI skills today sets up employees and organizations to thrive in the opportunities of tomorrow. At visionary organizations, like Albertsons Companies, Casey’s, Levi Strauss, and Newell Brands, teams are moving beyond theory and weaving AI into everyday work, transforming routine tasks into opportunities for innovation and business growth. This isn’t just about technology—it’s about people reimagining how they make an impact—and, in the process, they’re building resilience, driving growth, and creating success. AI Skills Navigator: Guidance for your AI-powered growth To help more people tap into this potential, we recently announced AI Skills Navigator an agentic learning space, bringing together AI-powered skilling experiences and credentials that help individuals build career skills and organizations worldwide accelerate their business. Forward-thinking companies Icertis, LexisNexis Risk Solutions, MTN, and Vodafone previewed AI Skills Navigator and shared their excitement about the experience. They see this learning space as a way to strengthen their learning cultures, prepare their workforces for the future, and deliver meaningful results—from better customer experiences to innovation that scales. Empowering teams to lead with confidence We believe skilling should always start with people, especially in a fast-changing AI landscape. We’re inspired by what teams can achieve when they feel supported, and we’re proud to work with organizations of all sizes as they help their employees grow and lead with confidence. The examples that follow highlight how enterprises across industries and regions are building future-ready teams with Microsoft skilling—and seeing real impact. The Adecco Group, a leading talent solutions and advisory firm that serves more than 100,000 companies every year, is committed to upskilling its workforce and preparing employees for the future of work. Partnering with Microsoft, The Adecco Group provides skill-building that supports 300 million candidate interactions annually and fosters a learning culture that scales AI expertise across the company. Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC), the state-owned energy company of Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, operates across the entire oil and gas value chain. ADNOC and Microsoft have committed to co-develop and deploy agents that enhance efficiency, enable autonomous operations, and reduce emissions. This collaboration includes advanced AI tools and workforce training from Microsoft, in addition to the creation of a joint innovation ecosystem to drive transformative energy solutions. Albertsons Companies, one of the largest food and drug retailers in the United States, is helping its associates be more effective with AI. According to Anuj Dhanda, Executive Vice President (EVP), Chief Technology & Transformation Officer, "At Albertsons Companies, we’re better together, whether in our stores or behind the scenes, and we embrace groundbreaking innovation that empowers each of our team members to earn customers for life. Our partnership with Microsoft is one of many transformative AI initiatives we’re implementing to unlock the potential of AI, helping our associates to be more effective, simplify their work, and build a more capable workforce to serve our 37 million customers each week." The Belgian Ministry of Defense is working with Microsoft to strengthen its capabilities through the practical application of generative AI, supporting a future-ready workforce. With AI coaching, the ministry equips its personnel with the skills to enhance digital resilience and operational effectiveness. Bupa APAC, a global leader in health insurance, health services, and aged care, keeps skilling central to its strategy evolution. The company cites AI as a critical part of its transformation but points out that technology alone isn't enough. It’s focused on its teams—building the right skills to make AI effective across the organization. Casey’s, a Fortune 500 convenience store chain and one of the largest pizza retailers in the United States, is embracing AI throughout the company. As Sanjeev Satturu, Senior Vice President (SVP) and Chief Information Officer (CIO), explains, “At Casey's, we are dedicated to fostering digital dexterity by equipping our teams with innovative AI tools. Through our strategic partnership with Microsoft, we are providing employees with the knowledge and resources to seamlessly integrate AI into their daily work, empowering them to extend their capabilities, boost productivity, and drive our evolution. By embracing AI in everyday actions, we amplify our collective potential and accelerate meaningful progress across the organization.” Commonwealth Bank of Australia (CommBank), one of Australia’s largest banks, is guided by its goal to build a brighter future for all. With Microsoft skilling offerings, the bank is enabling its teams to engage with AI, use the latest tools, and embrace new ways of working, as employees find out how AI can drive real impact. With a structured skilling approach and real-world experimentation, CommBank employees are learning to confidently apply AI to their day-to-day tasks, stay ahead, innovate, and help shape the future of banking. Danone, a world leader in specialized nutrition, is exploring new frontiers in AI transformation. Juergen Esser, Deputy Chief Executive Officer (CEO) in charge of Finance, Technology and Data, observes, “Our collaboration with Microsoft will accelerate our AI transformation, providing us with the tools, technology, and expertise to explore new frontiers in data analysis, operational efficiency, and consumer engagement. Working together is not just about technology; it’s about fostering a culture of continuous learning, innovation, and performance across our organisation." EPAM, a global leader in digital engineering and AI-powered software engineering services, is differentiating itself by focusing on Microsoft Applied Skills, moving beyond academic knowledge to real client impact. This approach demonstrates proficiency, strengthens outcomes, and provides a clear competitive advantage. With Applied Skills, EPAM fast-tracks AI readiness and project outcomes. Icertis, a leader in AI-powered contract intelligence, previewed AI Skills Navigator. Shwetambari Salgar, Learning & Organisational Development, is enthusiastic, emphasizing, “AI Skills Navigator provides an opportunity to upskill Icertis teams for the future through a unified learning platform. As a long-time Microsoft partner, we have a shared drive for innovation and continuous learning.” Koç Holding is a Fortune Global 500 company and Turkey’s largest multinational conglomerate, operating across energy, automotive, finance, consumer goods, and retail sectors. The company is taking advantage of Microsoft Applied Skills, empowering more than 6,000 employees to build future-ready skills in cloud, AI, and automation—underscoring the company’s belief that digital transformation begins with people. Koç Holding employees demonstrate their technical expertise through real-world tasks with Applied Skills, which focus on targeted, scenario-based learning and validation. These staff members are turning their new skills into impact, solving business challenges and driving agility. Lenovo, a global technology powerhouse focused on delivering smarter technology for all, is expanding its collaboration with Microsoft to upskill an additional 4,200 employees this year, following the successful training of more than 3,000 to date. What began as a small pilot has evolved into one of Lenovo’s largest learning communities, reinforcing the company’s position as a leading force in the AI revolution. Levi Strauss & Co., global apparel company, is building the foundation to apply AI across its operations. As Karen Scholl, Vice President, Office of the Chief Digital & Technology Officer, explains, “We’re empowering our people to tap into the power of AI to unlock new possibilities, reimagine how we work, and accelerate our evolution into a best-in-class, direct-to-consumer retailer. Our partnership with Microsoft isn’t just about technology, but it’s about building the right foundation to embed AI across everything we do. From product design to store operations, we’re building and equipping every team member with the tools to drive innovation and growth, ensuring Levi’s continues to thrive for another 170 years. By leveraging Microsoft’s technological expertise, we’re redefining what’s possible for the future of retail.” LexisNexis Risk Solutions provides data analytics and technology to help organizations assess risk, ensure compliance, and prevent fraud. Sarah Fabius, Technology Optimization Program Manager, notes that the company is dedicated to equipping its workforce “with cutting-edge AI skills that fuel innovation in risk and data analytics technology. Through our partnership with Microsoft and the integration of AI Skills Navigator, we’re ensuring our teams have the tools and expertise to lead in a rapidly evolving industry.” MTN is Africa’s largest mobile network operator. Paul Norman, Group Chief Human Resources Officer, shares his perspective on AI Skills Navigator, noting, “At MTN, we believe in developing an AI-fluent organisation that empowers every employee to adopt and utilise AI responsibly and ethically. Microsoft AI Skills Navigator provides an exciting new learning innovation that can help demystify AI through its learner-centric and human-first approach to grow and develop an agile, resilient, and AI-inspired workforce of the future!" National Australia Bank (NAB), one of Australia’s largest financial institutions, is advancing its strategic commitment to AI, with more than 100 initiatives underway and thousands of employees already applying generative AI to deliver real business value. The bank emphasizes responsible AI, inclusive innovation, and strong leadership. Through a joint effort with Microsoft, 600 women have received AI training, reinforcing NAB’s vision of a diverse, future-ready workforce equipped to lead in the age of AI. Newell Brands, a leading consumer products company with a portfolio of iconic brands, is empowering its employees with Microsoft technology and skilling. As Chris Peterson, President and CEO, points out, “At Newell Brands, we see AI as a catalyst for creativity, productivity, and transformation. Through the Microsoft AI experience training series and access to Microsoft 365 Copilot, we’re empowering our employees with technology that helps them work smarter, boost productivity, and turn ideas into action faster. This is about more than adopting new technology—it’s about fueling innovation, driving efficiency, and creating lasting value across our business.” NTT DATA is a global IT services and consulting company that provides digital, cloud, and business solutions to help organizations innovate and transform. The company is building its workforce skills in generative AI in close collaboration with Microsoft and other leading partners. The company intends to train 200,000 of its employees by fiscal year 2027 and, as of October 2025, had already trained 70,000 of them. This initiative empowers staff members to apply generative AI independently, driving innovation in daily tasks and creating new value across the organization. OP Pohjola, Finland’s largest provider of financial services, is fueling transformation in the financial sector by embedding continuous learning into its culture. In a joint effort with Microsoft, the company is ensuring that every employee has the opportunity to build AI skills and can apply them responsibly every day. This commitment and world-class learning strengthens customer service, fosters innovation, and helps to shape the future of banking. Ricoh, a global technology company that provides digital services, printing solutions, and workplace innovation, believes that real transformation starts with people. The company is advancing AI adoption across its teams in the Asia-Pacific region, focusing on skill-building so team members can use new tools with confidence. Ricoh and Microsoft worked together to deliver AI Learning Week, which gave employees the opportunity to explore ways to apply AI meaningfully and responsibly and to reimagine how they work, enhancing human potential. Vodafone, a global telecommunications company, looks to the exciting possibilities of AI Skills Navigator. As Steve Garley, Senior Manager Technical and Digital Skills, explains, “AI Skills Navigator learner-first design aligns well with an AI-first approach and Vodafone’s ambition for readiness in the AI era. We see potential in Microsoft’s [skilling experience] to transform traditional training models and deliver role-based, just-in-time upskilling that drives real business outcomes.” From retail to telecom and more, these organizations prove that empowered teams can spark innovation and lasting growth. Their experiences highlight a truth worth remembering—transformation starts with people. When employees feel confident in their skills, they create success that extends well beyond daily tasks. If you’re ready to empower your workforce with the full potential of AI skilling, get your teams started with AI Skills Navigator.
