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Byte-sized AI: Numbers tell a story
I’m back for another Byte-sized AI issue, and as promised here are my three things: đ
- Something techy from the news
- Something that made me laugh
- Something that you can do to improve how you work
đ° The one item of news:
Trying to use AI at work
Letâs talk about something that doesnât get enough airtime: the real, everyday experience of people trying to use AI at work. According to new research highlighted by the BBC this week, thereâs a clear message from UK employees: âWeâre keen to use AI – but we need a bit more help, please!â
AI cause for optimism but overwhelming for workers, study finds – BBC News
The numbers tell the story. Six out of ten UK workers say theyâd jump at the chance to use AI in their day-to-day roles, if only they had the right training. But hereâs the catch: nearly a quarter of those surveyed feel their employers arenât offering enough support to get started.
I like the way the good professor puts it: Without the right training, âwe risk creating a workforce that’s willing to use AI but is not sure where to startâ. Itâs like handing someone a shiny new power tool without the instruction manual, lots of potential, but also a bit of hesitation.
Why does this matter? Because AI isnât just about automating the boring stuff (though, letâs be honest, thatâs a big win). Itâs about freeing people up to focus on the work that really matters -problem-solving, creativity, and human connection. When done right, AI can boost business performance and make our jobs more rewarding.
Investing in tech is important, but if we donât invest in the people using it we risk creating a white elephant and, worse, a resentful team. Letâs make sure no oneâs left behind as we step into the future of work. If youâre feeling unsure about where to start with AI, youâre not alone and youâre definitely not out of the loop.
đ The one thing that made me laugh:
Pining for the fjords
Despite appearances, I am not actually here at the moment. As you read this I will be hopefully serenely gliding around the Norwegian Fjords. That means itâs hard for me to tell you about something thatâs made me laugh this week. In itâs place, I offer you this:
Sometimes in a Teams call you need a bit of distraction! (prompt: âChange this photo so that participants of the call are all muppetsâ â Iâll let you guess whoâs who!)
đĄ The one thing you can do next week:
Copilot: A growing bag of tricks
Copilotâs bag of tricks keeps on growing. The latest addition is Copilot Notebooks.
Get started with Microsoft 365 Copilot Notebooks – Microsoft Support
Notebooks pull together thoughts, chats, files, etc. Itâs the next generation of what we used to do in OneNote but so much more than that!
Notebooks are rolling out over the summer, so if you havenât got it just yet, donât panic. Itâs coming.
If you are interested to find out how AI, automation and all things clever can help your organisation why not take a look at Future Workplace, our super special IT consultancy service that can supercharge productivity, business efficiency and so much more.
Subscribe to Byte-sized AI
Check out past Byte-sized AI issues:
- Byte-sized AI: Bubble, bubbleIs the AI bubble about to burst? Using Copilot in Microsoft Outlook. Ethics and morals, the big difference answered.
- Byte-sized AI: Did you miss me? I bet you did!AI adoption in UK SMEs, how amazing House is and the amazing ever evolving Microsoft Copilot.
- Byte-sized AI: AI overviews and using personasAI in search is here, some of it great, some not! đ Plus, make your AI tools ten times better.
- Byte-sized AI: Numbers tell a storyDevelop your team for AI, Copilot for Notebook and pining for the fjords!
- Byte-sized AI: Lost in an open plan area!Find out what Nick has been up to at the Kent and Medway Business Summit and have you tried triple promoting.
- Byte-sized AI: AI actFind out how AI is being kept in check, decide if AI is funny, and have you started going loopy!
- Byte-sized AI: AI opportunitiesÂŁ7 million, belly laughs and AI distilled! What more can you want? Byte-sized AI from the mind of Nick Ellis!
- Byte-sized AI: Are you thinking deeper?I’m back for another Byte-sized AI issue, and as promised here are my three things. đ
- Byte-sized AI: Its a little bit of snow!This week we have seen the government get behind AI in a big way. This was inevitable whoever was in power, I think. There are a few obvious challenges here:
- Byte-sized AI: Say hello to ClaudeFor the more technical parts of my job, I use an AI called Claude, which was created by Anthropic.
- Byte-sized AI: Granny is here to make it all better!O2 have created an AI that sounds like your gran! The obvious question is âwhy?â. Firstly, it doesnât sound like your gran specifically, that would be weird; itâs a generic gran called Daisy, complete with confusion about technology and a tendency to talk about her cat too much. Still doesnât answer why though.
- Byte-sized AI: A llama with AI and an admission!Meta are doing something very interesting. They have a set of AI models collectively called âLlamaâ which anyone can download and use in their products for free.
- Byte-sized AI: Something special is happening in the UK!The UK is doing something a bit special. The global average for businesses adopting AI to some extent is around 13%.
- Byte-sized AI: Up, up and… back down! đEvery so often in the world of tech something happens that is so astonishing, so utterly gob-smacking that we should all just stop and applaud.
- Byte-sized AI: An extra brain in the room!I’m back for another Byte-sized AI issue, and as promised here are my three things! đ
- Byte-sized AI: The machines have taken over SainsburysWelcome to the very first issue of my new technology newsletter Byte-sized AI. Each issue I will give you three things:Something techy from the news Something that made me laugh Something that you can do to improve how you work
- Byte-sized AI: Be the first to hear from NickWant to get the latest news about technology and AI, then there is only one person you need to hear from and that’s me!!
Nick Ellis
AI and Innovation Lead at Select Technology. Nick’s mission is to spread the powers of AI and Automation to all, ensuring businesses are at the forefront of innovation.