This year’s Microsoft Ignite, hosted online and in person in Chicago from November 19-22, brings together top IT leaders and industry experts. The opening keynote will bring cutting-edge updates on how to become an artificial intelligence-powered organization and harness the technology in everyday workflows. The keynote will feature Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella and Microsoft leaders Charlie Bell, executive vice president of Microsoft security, compliance and identity management; Scott Guthrie, executive vice president of the Cloud and AI Group; and Rajesh Jha, executive vice president of the company’s experiences and devices.
Breakout sessions will offer a deeper look at managing intelligent apps, safeguarding data and accelerating productivity. Longtime Microsoft partners CDW, NVIDIA and AMD will also bring a strong presence to the conference to emphasize how IT leaders can harness AI to improve workflows, secure their cloud environments and streamline operations.
Here are some of the key themes and takeaways attendees can expect.
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Microsoft Copilot and CDW Help Businesses Harness the Power of AI
One star of this year’s Ignite is Microsoft’s Copilot, an AI-powered tool designed to augment productivity in Microsoft 365. CDW has played a significant role in deploying Copilot for over 2,000 unique clients, learning from more than 250 professional services engagements along the way. “What sets us apart is our ability to implement Copilot so that it aligns with specific business goals,” says Al McKinnon, a solution architect for CDW’s Digital Experience Productivity practice.
“We get the right people involved early in the project to get the most value out of your solution. We’re not just deploying AI for its own sake. It’s tailor-made for your business” McKinnon says. And rather than drown IT efforts in theoretical planning, CDW puts the technology to the test. “Thought leadership does not develop use cases. Use develops use cases,” McKinnon says, borrowing a phrase from his colleague Lisa Bell, a technical learning specialist at CDW.
Demos on How to Train Your AI Models in the Cloud
Cloud management will be another central focus at Ignite, particularly how to train AI models in the cloud. Experts will share tips and tools to gain the computational power and flexibility needed to process large data sets efficiently, accelerate model development and enable seamless collaboration across distributed teams.
CDW will showcase Inscape, its proprietary cloud management tool, which is a powerful solution for managing Azure, Amazon Web Services and Google Cloud Platform. “Used by over 3,000 clients, Inscape enables organizations to gain real-time insights into cost savings and security and scan for anomaly detection as you fold AI into the mix,” says Tony Suffoletto, director of Microsoft tools and support at CDW.
“We also have AI training within Inscape and training on every Microsoft application that an end user could use,” he says. This is a “great one-two punch” because a business can purchase Copilot in Azure and then learn how to optimize apps and infrastructure from the cloud to the edge.
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AI and Azure Solutions That Elevate Customer Experiences
The conference will also cover how AI is improving the customer experience. Experts will demonstrate how Azure’s AI-driven features allow organizations to enhance engagement, particularly in customer-facing applications, where real-time responses and data personalization matter.
From virtual customer service agents to retail in-store assistants and financial advice on market trends, large language models and retrieval-augmented generation are integrating seamlessly with Azure’s text-to-speech capabilities and OpenAI’s ability to create dynamic and context-dependent responses.
Experts Will Share How to Measure AI Success
AI deployment goes beyond mere implementation; it’s also about measurable outcomes. Ignite will help IT leaders define what they want to achieve with AI, whether it’s improving productivity, enhancing customer service or cutting costs. “Say that Copilot saves users 30-45 minutes a day. What are they going to do with that extra time? You must evaluate the before and after metrics in terms of value-added output,” McKinnon says.
“Pick one or two high-impact projects to pilot rather than overwhelming their teams with multiple changes at once,” he says. “Start small. Success breeds success. That approach will build momentum and support.”
For Suffoletto, part of what makes Ignite such an impactful event is that IT leaders have a chance to discuss the “AI gold rush” together. It’s a moment for organizations to shape the tech strategy for the future. “So, take advantage of those networking moments, hang out after sessions, catch presenters and share your unique situation — your challenges and your wins,” he says.
To learn more about Microsoft Ignite, visit our conference page. You can also follow us on the social platform X at @BizTechMagazine to see behind-the-scenes moments.
