The future of work is generative AI. It has huge potential to redefine industries and rethink how we approach the world’s biggest challenges. Its impact is undeniable, and organizations across sectors are embracing this shift – 92% are ramping up AI adoption in the next 12 months, while 95% of business and IT executives around the world share our optimism for an AI-first future.

Today, generative AI tools are embedded in all aspects of work, and until recently the conversation has, understandably, centered on productivity and efficiency gains. For example, we’ve seen Microsoft Copilot for Microsoft 365 (Copilot for M365) reduce workloads, enable real-time intelligence and improve data security.

While these are important developments and discussion points – how is it affecting us, the people adopting the tool, and our workplace experiences?

We thought it was time to find out.

The genuine human impact of generative AI
Organizations are looking to strike that delicate balance between technological advancement and a work environment that puts people first. And as generative AI trailblazers, we wanted to be at the forefront of understanding what people feel about Copilot for M365, and how it’s influencing individuals across job roles. So, where better to start than our own organization?

We carried out a seven-week study to examine the human perspective of generative AI’s impact. It explored Copilot for M365’s influence on creative thinking, collaboration, trust and belonging to name a few – and the results gave a clear, quantifiable and truly insightful view.

Copilot for M365, through the human lens
As part of our research, we delved into six key areas – which you can read about in full in our report. But let’s start with creativity and innovative thinking.

Say you’re at the beginning of a new project, and you’re in the stages of developing plans for idea generation. Here’s where Copilot for M365 can come in. Our participants reported a 5% increase in their ability to undertake this task following the adoption of the tool. As well as supporting ideation, our daily users of Copilot for M365 also reported a 70% greater likelihood of it fostering a creative outlook and approach.

“I start with Copilot’s suggestions, then personalize and enhance them to finalize my tasks,” says one research participant. “It’s a springboard that boosts my creativity.”

Looking beyond its potential for new and innovative ideas, Copilot for M365 also upholds workplace satisfaction. You’ll know that protecting the employee experience is more important than ever, and the organizations that are creating positive work environments are those that are building robust business resilience. It’s an optimistic sign then that Copilot for M365 is harmoniously complementing our existing processes and experiences, with no decrease in workplace satisfaction.

We may also conclude that alongside workplace satisfaction, Copilot fosters belongingness among our colleagues, with one participant telling us that it “helps me connect internally, allowing me to easily access and update important documents and gather sustainable practices.” This is a revealing testimony demonstrating how powerful generative AI can be in embedding frictionless teamwork and agility alongside collective working practices.

Microsoft recently announced Team Copilot, an expansion of Copilot’s capabilities into collaboration and project management for entire teams, rather than just individuals. We’re looking forward to seeing this development take shape, and how it can help us continue to cultivate strong and cooperative relationships with each other, and our wider organization.

Making sure every moment matters
Communication styles are always going to vary, but with Copilot for M365, you can improve the clarity and efficiency of exchanges between employees – with transcription providing accurate and accessible records of meeting content that people can review, ask questions about and agree on.

It’s easy to get entrenched in your own ways of working, Copilot for M365, and the new Team Copilot, can open new paths for communication and day-to-day efficiency. We found this in our study, with our people feeling less cautious about their communications after seven weeks of working with Copilot for M365.

Enhancing the human aspect of your workplace
Our early adoption of Copilot for M365 means we’ve got great insight into how it can create a richer working environment for our colleagues. Through this experience, we’ve identified the key benefits, and potential challenges, that organizations face as they start to adopt generative AI tools.

These tools offer a pathway to elevating our workplace experiences in ways that put people first and boost both creativity and confidence. To harness the full potential of Copilot for M365, organizations need to adopt a strategic approach, engage deeply to understand user experiences, then align adoption with human needs.

Our report paints a more detailed picture – delving deeper into the key themes we identified. To see the full findings of how our colleagues responded to the adoption of Copilot for M365, settle in, and read our research report.

Take a look at this visual summary for a sneak peak at the six key areas of impact.

For the people: The human impact of generative AI in the workplace