Microsoft AI Tour in London Showcases UK’s AI Advancement
More than 4,500 customers, partners, analysts, and journalists gathered at the ExCel center in London for the latest, largest leg of Microsoft’s global AI Tour on March 5th. The event highlighted the significant opportunities for AI and cloud technologies within the UK economy.
In his opening keynote, Darren Hardman, CEO of Microsoft UK, emphasized how AI and cloud technologies could create a half-a-trillion pound opportunity for the UK economy in the coming decade. “There is clear and urgent demand for AI in its many forms,” Hardman stated, noting that organizations across various sectors are embracing AI to accelerate innovation, streamline processes, and eliminate “digital drudgery.” He highlighted the UK’s leadership in AI, citing its flourishing startup culture, its technological innovation history, and the government’s commitment to AI-powered growth laid out in the AI Opportunities Action Plan.
Hardman provided examples of UK organizations using Generative AI and AI agents to improve productivity, customer service, and employee quality of life. He noted the rapid “explosion” in the use of “agentic AI” over the last six months. These task-specific AI agents, which can be easily developed using Microsoft’s low- or no-code tools, present “limitless potential” across all sectors, according to Hardman.
Citing a Microsoft report, “Agents of Change,” published earlier in the day, Hardman revealed that nearly three-quarters of UK business leaders expect to integrate AI agents into their operations, expecting them to offer “significant value.”
Microsoft is heavily investing in UK data center infrastructure to support this AI revolution, and also providing free digital skills programs to ensure everyone can benefit from this “once-in-a-generation inflection point,” Hardman said.
A Framework for AI Success
Judson Althoff, Microsoft’s Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer, delivered a “framework for success” to help organizations implement AI effectively and securely.
Althoff also announced the launch of two new pre-built Microsoft agents — Sales Agent and Sales Chat — designed to automate sales and improve customer relationship management. “Agents and Copilot coming together with human ambition is a powerful combination,” Althoff noted, which results in faster time to market and greater innovation for businesses.
On-stage demonstrations showcased the ease and speed of building AI agents using Copilot Studio. Althoff encouraged attendees to “push Copilot to its extremes – make it work for your business” while emphasizing the full suite of Microsoft products and services available, from GitHub Copilot to Azure AI Foundry.
Attendees discussed how AI and agents are helping them become more productive, innovative, and responsive to customer needs.
Hands-on Learning and Collaboration
Beyond the main stage presentations, the event featured workshops demonstrating how to build AI agents using Copilot Studio and learn prompting techniques.
There were round-table discussions on rolling out Microsoft 365 Copilot, where customers shared their experiences and best practices. Other topics included developing effective data strategies, improving accounting and compliance functions with AI, and promoting diversity within technology roles.
“We’ve had a wide range of conversations,” said Stuart Wright from Capgemini, discussing topics from using Microsoft 365 Copilot to help neurodiverse individuals to how AI can help parcel delivery companies improve their routing.
Maggie Milner of Bytes Technology Group expressed her surprise at the progress many businesses have made in their AI transformations. Sam Calvert of PwC noted a shift from “discovering what’s possible with AI, to implementing and delivering real change.”
The event fostered optimism and excitement, concluding with Hardman’s statement: “Together, we will chart a path where AI powers economic growth across the UK – and in a way in which businesses can truly flourish.”
