AI Agents: Automate Decisions, Not Just Tasks episode artwork

EPISODE · Jan 12, 2026 · 25 MIN

AI Agents: Automate Decisions, Not Just Tasks

from Microsoft Innovation Podcast

Get featured on the show by leaving us a Voice Mail: https://bit.ly/MIPVM A practical discussion with Mary Pantelopoulou on quantifying and realising business value from AI and low code, using the Business Value Assessment to tie Power Platform, M365 Copilot, and autonomous agents to top‑line growth, cost reduction, risk mitigation, and redesigned processes that free people to focus on higher‑value work. 👉️ Full Show Notes https://www.microsoftinnovationpodcast.com/787 🎙️ What you’ll learn  Frame AI investments with a clear business value model tied to strategic objectives Identify and quantify use cases using benchmarks and customer scenarios Move beyond time savings to decisions on how freed time is used Rethink processes for AI, not just automate existing steps Apply autonomous agents to transform CRM/ERP into intelligent platforms  ✅ Highlights  “It feels like when the internet was introduced… a big disruptive thing.” “Our focus is business applications, Power Platform, and recently M365 Copilot.” “We help customers quantify: if I’m spending $1, how much am I getting in return?” “We use our own technology—customer zero—to benchmark and quantify value.” “What do you actually do with this time… that’s the most interesting.” “Think about your processes, but rethink them.” “AI is becoming the backbone of our modern business applications.” “We’ve brought modern work and business applications together in a team called ABS.” “Pre‑built autonomous agents in sales, service, finance, supply chain, and customer insights.” “Traditional CRM and ERP are transformed into intelligent platforms.”  🧰 Mentioned Business Value Assessment (BVA) tool - https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/power-platform/guidance/coe/business-value-toolkit Power Platform - https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/power-platform M365 Copilot - https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365-copilot Agents / autonomous agents - https://blogs.microsoft.com/blog/2024/10/21/new-autonomous-agents-scale-your-team-like-never-before/ Customer zero - https://www.microsoft.com/insidetrack/blog/inside-microsoft-being-customer-zero-in-an-ai-powered-world/ Contact center productivity - https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/dynamics-365/products/contact-center ✅Keywords ai, power platform, business value assessment, m365 copilot, autonomous agents, crm, erp, productivity, one microsoft, finance, contact center, low‑code Microsoft 365 Copilot Adoption is a Microsoft Press book for leaders and consultants. It shows how to identify high-value use cases, set guardrails, enable champions, and measure impact, so Copilot sticks. Practical frameworks, checklists, and metrics you can use this month. Get the book: https://bit.ly/CopilotAdoptionSupport the showIf you want to get in touch with me, you can message me here on Linkedin.Thanks for listening 🚀 - Mark Smith

Get featured on the show by leaving us a Voice Mail: https://bit.ly/MIPVM A practical discussion with Mary Pantelopoulou on quantifying and realising business value from AI and low code, using the Business Value Assessment to tie Power Platform, M365 Copilot, and autonomous agents to top‑line growth, cost reduction, risk mitigation, and redesigned processes that free people to focus on higher‑value work. 👉️ Full Show Notes https://www.microsoftinnovationpodcast.com/787 🎙️ What you’l...

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This episode was published on January 12, 2026.

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Get featured on the show by leaving us a Voice Mail: https://bit.ly/MIPVM A practical discussion with Mary Pantelopoulou on quantifying and realising business value from AI and low code, using the Business Value Assessment to tie Power Platform,...

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