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June 30, 2025

AI in action: What business decision makers need to know

Where to focus, which tools to use, and how embedded AI can drive meaningful business optimization

What AI really means in a business context 

AI hype is everywhere. But for decision makers, the real question is practical: What does AI actually do in a business setting, and how can it support the work my team is doing right now?  

The answer is: More than you think. AI is already powering many of the tools your teams use every day. From summarizing reports to optimizing calendars, it's quietly driving clarity, speed, and cost savings behind the scenes. 1

And interest is skyrocketing. Search volume for terms like “AI for business,” “AI tools for business,” and “best AI for business” averages over 10,000 per month. 2 That curiosity signals a shift, but curiosity alone won’t unlock AI’s value. It takes smart decisions.  

Why business leaders are paying attention 

There’s a reason AI for companies keeps topping business trend reports. When integrated intentionally, it can: 

  • Automate repetitive tasks .
  • Assist with data analysis and reporting .
  • Help teams prioritize time and attention.
  • Improve forecasting and customer insights.
  • Reduce decision-making lag across departments.

And unlike custom software builds or platform migrations, many of today’s top AI capabilities are already embedded in the tools your teams currently rely on. 3

From intelligent search to AI-powered meeting prep, AI is fully woven into daily workflows. The job for decision makers isn’t to build AI from scratch, but to unlock the value that’s already there and invest in the tools that make it easier to scale.  

Common challenges and where to put your focus 

Despite rising interest, many organizations hesitate to jump into AI. Common hurdles include: 

  • Not knowing where to start .
  • Unclear ROI.
  • Concerns about data privacy and governance.
  • Mismatches between AI tools and business needs.

The key? Focus on one or two friction points where AI can deliver measurable impact. Think meeting prep, reporting, internal communications, or scheduling. Then, select AI-ready tools that support your goals and fit naturally into how your team already works. 

What AI integration looks like in practice 

Successful business adoption of AI tends to follow a five-step path: 

1. Identify the problem 

Pinpoint a process where your team spends too much time on low-value tasks. 

2. Choose the right device and tools 

Start with a PC that meets your performance and business needs with built-in AI capabilities to support the use cases you’ve identified. For example, choose providers already in your ecosystem like Microsoft and Intel®. Windows is already designed for compatibility with leading business tools and Intel® Core™ Ultra processors deliver built-in acceleration and all-around great performance. 

3. Activate relevant AI features  

Tap into productivity-enhancing AI features such as intelligent content suggestions, improved file search, background noise filtering, and intelligent assistance inside productivity apps with tools like Microsoft 365 Copilot. On Copilot+ PCs, a new class of Windows device, you can also enable advanced AI experiences like Live Captions with translation, Click to Do (preview) , and Recall (preview) .

4. Pilot and train 

 Assign a small team to test these tools for 30 days, gather feedback, and assess ease of use. Provide basic training on key features to ensure the team understands how to use them effectively and can share learnings with others.  

5. Measure and scale 

Track measurable outcomes: Time savings, productivity gains, faster decision making. If the impact is clear, expand access and layer in additional features. 

By starting small and iterating, teams stay focused on outcomes rather than getting bogged down in tech complexity.  

How Windows 11 Pro + Intel® Core™ Ultra Processors enable practical AI 

As organizations begin to see ROI from AI pilots, many choose to grow their capabilities. That means selecting hardware that can support and scale those experiences smoothly. 

Modern AI workloads require modern hardware. Devices built with Windows 11 Pro and Intel® Core™ Ultra processors provide the performance foundation needed to power next-gen AI features securely and reliably. 4

Copilot+ PCs come with a neural processing unit (NPU), CPU, and GPU. These AI engines work together to unlock powerful, on-device experiences.  5

Key capabilities include:  

  • AI integrated with familiar apps including improved Windows search, 6 noise canceling, background blur, and automatic framing in videocalls with Windows Studio Effects . 7
  • Optimized compatibility with Microsoft 365 Copilot for AI-assisted drafting, summarizing, and search across your Microsoft 365 apps and data (requires license; feature availability may vary). 8
  • Advanced on-device capabilities in Copilot+ PCs, such as Recall (preview) 9 , Click to Do (preview) 10 and Live Captions with translation . 11
  • Powerful security by default and granular control across apps, data, and AI tools enabled by Windows 11 Pro devices, which ship with security layers already enabled .
  • Stable hardware foundation reduces IT burden through reliability and simplified updates.
  • Intel® vPro® platform features to support device management and fleet-wide optimization. 

These hardware-software combinations don’t just support AI. They unlock it, making advanced capabilities accessible without needing custom configurations or steep learning curves.  

What success looks like for business decision makers

The goal isn’t to automate everything. It’s to remove friction so teams can focus on more strategic work.  And it’s already becoming part of workplace ecosystems. According to The 2025 Annual Work Trend Index: The Frontier Firm is Born, 83% of business leaders say AI will enable employees to take on more complex and strategic work and 79% of employees believe it will accelerate their careers. 

Examples: 

  • A team leader preps for meetings faster by checking out recommended content in File Explorer, then uses Copilot in Outlook, PowerPoint, and Teams (requires license) to automate scheduling, summarize agendas, and capture action items—enhanced by PC-enabled features like background blur and noise filtering .
  • A marketing lead uses Microsoft Loop, a collaboration tool in Microsoft 365 (requires license), to brainstorm campaign ideas, organize cross-functional feedback, and keep launch timelines on track, all supported by Copilot+ PC features like real-time captions and performance-optimized multitasking .
  • A finance manager uses AI-powered analysis tools like Power BI or Copilot in Excel (requires license) to quickly summarize spend data, spot trends, and share insights while relying on fast device search, strong security, and Intel®-powered performance .

When AI is working well, it feels seamless. But the benefits—fewer bottlenecks, more efficient workflows, better outcomes—are easy to see. 

Looking for AI-ready devices that don’t add complexity? 

Explore Windows 11 Pro + Intel® Core™ Ultra processor-powered PCs for streamlined workflows, smarter operations, and long-term business value.  When you have the hardware performance to fully support the productivity benefits from Copilot in Windows , 1 you can unlock powerful results in less time. 

  • DISCLAIMERS: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, financial, or technical advice. Readers should consult their own advisors for guidance specific to their organization.  

    Performance results and benefits described are based on internal testing or customer feedback and may vary depending on hardware, software, and usage environment. 

    Intel, Intel Core, Intel vPro, and the Intel logo are trademarks of Intel Corporation or its subsidiaries. Microsoft, Windows, Microsoft 365, and Microsoft Copilot are trademarks of the Microsoft group of companies. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. 

    Mention of third-party products or services does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation unless explicitly stated. 

    Features and functionalities described may not be available in all markets or languages and are subject to change without notice. 

  • [1] Performance results and benefits described are based on internal testing or customer feedback and may vary depending on hardware, software, and usage environment. 
  • [2] Source: BrightEdge - Public keyword search volume data from third-party SEO tools, April 2025.
  • [3] Refers to AI features available in Microsoft 365, Microsoft 365 Copilot, Windows 11 Pro, and Intel-supported platforms. Availability may vary by product and region.
  • [4] Based on performance testing conducted by Microsoft and Intel. Performance may vary based on configuration and workload.
  • [5] Performance claims based on Intel internal testing. See https://www.intel.com/PerformanceIndex for details.
  • [6] Improved Windows search works with specific text, image, and document formats only; optimized for select languages (English, Chinese (Simplified), French, German, Japanese, and Spanish). See Copilot+ PC FAQs.
  • [7] Requires built-in camera; available effects vary by device. See Copilot+ PC FAQs.
  • [8] Microsoft 365 Copilot availability and features may vary by license, region, and product version.
  • [9] Recall (preview) requires Windows Hello Enhanced Sign-in Security. Coming to the European Economic Area later in 2025. Optimized for select languages (English, Chinese (Simplified), French, German, Japanese, and Spanish). Content-based and storage limitations apply. Enterprise license required for some policy-enabled management controls.See Copilot+ PC FAQs.
  • [10] Click to Do (preview) available image and text actions vary by device, region, language, and character set. Subscription required for some actions. Click to Do coming to the European Economic Area later in 2025. See Copilot+ PC FAQs.
  • [11] Live Captions translates video and audio subtitles into English from 40+ languages and from 27 languages into Chinese (Simplified). See Copilot+ PC FAQs.

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