How does AI work? 

Before the advent of Artificial Intelligence (AI), computers were highly limited in their capabilities. They required explicit programming for each task and struggled to adapt to new or unexpected situations. Computers operated on rigid inputs and produced errors when data didn’t conform to predefined formats. In contrast, the human brain is highly adaptable, capable of abstract thought, creativity, planning, and purposeful, goal-oriented actions.

Over the past 40 years, AI research has aimed to simulate many of the human brain’s abilities. Progress was initially slow, with limited success, until the emergence of ChatGPT in early 2022, which marked a significant breakthrough. At its core, AI relies on vast amounts of data. Algorithms are trained on this data to identify patterns, draw insights, and make predictions. Key components of AI include:

1. Machine Learning (ML): A subset of AI where systems learn and improve from experience without explicit programming. It’s like teaching a computer to recognize patterns, such as identifying customer preferences or predicting trends.
2. Natural Language Processing (NLP): This enables AI to understand and generate human language, powering tools like chatbots and voice-to-text applications.
3. Automation: AI-driven automation minimizes repetitive tasks, allowing teams to focus on strategic and creative work.

Recent advances in AI, particularly in Machine Learning and Natural Language Processing, have been made possible by leveraging massive amounts of cloud computing power. For example, OpenAI reportedly spent around $100 million on cloud computing to develop and maintain ChatGPT. These expenses primarily covered the costs of training large-scale language models like GPT-3 and GPT-4, which required extensive use of powerful GPUs, electricity, and cloud infrastructure services.

Building on these advancements, Microsoft is taking AI to the next level with the introduction of Copilot Studio and Copilot Agents. Unlike traditional AI interfaces that rely on chatboxes, Copilot can be triggered by automated actions and seamlessly perform tasks across systems. This innovation represents a significant leap forward, enabling automated agents to act proactively on your behalf.