Colruyt Group and Microsoft inspire project managers with AI applications
On Tuesday 22 April, Colruyt Group, together with partner Microsoft, welcomed around one hundred project managers from inside and outside the company for an inspiring evening about AI. The focus was on how Microsoft’s AI software Copilot can simplify project management. Here’s a look back.
The future is now
Imagine this: as a project manager, you receive a new briefing. Within seconds, your assistant has extracted the key points and drafted an initial to-do list. Not much later, the assistant has brought the right colleagues to the (virtual or real-life) table to review the briefing. Afterwards, the assistant summarises the meeting and quickly creates a first draft of an email and/or presentation for the key stakeholders. The name of this assistant? AI.
Sounds like science fiction? Not at all, as proven during the inspiring session organised by Colruyt Group and Microsoft. “AI is changing the world as we speak. That’s both frightening and fascinating.” These were the powerful opening words of Arianna Riccardi, Copilot Go To Market Manager at Microsoft Western Europe, who kicked off the evening with a keynote speech.
From tool to colleague
It’s evolving rapidly. Just a few years — or even months — ago, most professionals were only tentatively experimenting with AI tools. “But to consider AI merely a tool would be an understatement,” Arianna said.
Later that evening, various demonstrations by Microsoft representatives showed that software like Copilot can be so much more. Agents, or specialised AI applications for specific tasks (e.g. project management), demonstrate how AI can serve as a personal assistant — or even an extra colleague. A colleague to whom you can delegate repetitive tasks, so you can focus on more creative and strategic work.
New mindset
“My first encounters with AI were hesitant too,” Arianna admitted after her keynote. “But once I saw how much time I could save, I was quickly convinced. I let it find my flights, trains and hotels for business trips. I use it as a speech coach when I need to give a presentation like today. The possibilities are truly endless.”
For those still in doubt, Arianna offered the following advice: “Working with AI requires a different mindset. You have to let go of how you usually operate. It also calls for new skills, like knowing how to prompt properly. But that’s something you can learn — and at Microsoft, we have plenty of resources to help you get started.”
Working with AI requires a different mindset. You need to let go of your usual ways of working.
Digital transformation
The closing remarks of the evening were delivered by Stefaan Debie, IT Team Manager in the communication and collaboration department at Colruyt Group. He is also Business Partner Manager for the group’s strategic relationship with Microsoft. “Of course, we rely on Microsoft’s expertise to help drive the digital transformation of our organisation,” Stefaan explained. “Evenings like this are important to inspire professionals both within and outside the group. And to share experiences and strengthen our network.”
He thanked the Microsoft colleagues for an insightful evening — and even confessed that he had used AI to help write his closing speech. “I asked AI to help me structure it, since that’s not my strong suit. Then I added my own personal touch.”
Stefaan also shared a practical tip for those unsure where to start: “If you have a question, try using Copilot instead of a traditional search engine. You’ll notice the difference right away. Instead of a list of web pages, you get a concise summary, links, sources... Before you know it, you’re up and running.”
Evenings like this are important to inspire professionals both within and outside the organisation.
