Copilots, Chaos and Control: Getting Real About AI Productivity
Proposed session for SQLBits 2026TL; DR
Join our Fun session of live demos , showing how normal business users can benefit from the range of copilots, we will show what works and what doesn't, compare the AI to "old fashion" automations to learn what tools to use where. We will tell stories of real examples and look at the security and prep needed to be magical.
Session Details
In this Fun, no‑filter session, Laura and Claire put multiple Microsoft Copilots through their paces to show how everyday business users can actually get work done faster in the new world of AI. They will contrast “AI magic” with good old‑fashioned automation, proving that simple rules, flows, and templates still quietly solve a huge chunk of real problems alongside Copilot‑powered experiences in Microsoft 365, Power Platform & Power BI.
Through live demos, honest commentary, and a few deliberate “AI fails,” you’ll see what Copilots are brilliant at, where they fall short, and how to combine them with lightweight automation to get reliable, repeatable outcomes instead of AI theatre.
The session will also lift the lid on security and data reality: what Copilots can see, where the real risks lurk, and how to avoid turning an access‑permissions mess into an AI‑powered data leak. You will hear practical, plain‑English guidance on mitigating risk with sensible permissions, data classification, and governance so you can say “yes” to AI without losing sleep. Finally, Laura and Claire will share a simple, repeatable checklist to prepare you & your data and content so Copilots look smart instead of confused, helping your organisation get value from AI faster.
What you’ll walk away with
By the end of this session, delegates will:
Understand the different types of Microsoft Copilots available to business users and where they appear in day‑to‑day tools (email, documents, data analytics, line‑of‑business apps).
Know when to reach for Copilot versus simple automations and how they can work together instead of competing.
Recognise common security and data‑governance risks when using Copilots and have practical steps to mitigate them.
Have a clear, non‑technical checklist for preparing content and data so Copilot responses are more accurate, relevant, and safe.
!
Come and Enjoy Laura and Claire break everything so you don't have to !
Through live demos, honest commentary, and a few deliberate “AI fails,” you’ll see what Copilots are brilliant at, where they fall short, and how to combine them with lightweight automation to get reliable, repeatable outcomes instead of AI theatre.
The session will also lift the lid on security and data reality: what Copilots can see, where the real risks lurk, and how to avoid turning an access‑permissions mess into an AI‑powered data leak. You will hear practical, plain‑English guidance on mitigating risk with sensible permissions, data classification, and governance so you can say “yes” to AI without losing sleep. Finally, Laura and Claire will share a simple, repeatable checklist to prepare you & your data and content so Copilots look smart instead of confused, helping your organisation get value from AI faster.
What you’ll walk away with
By the end of this session, delegates will:
Understand the different types of Microsoft Copilots available to business users and where they appear in day‑to‑day tools (email, documents, data analytics, line‑of‑business apps).
Know when to reach for Copilot versus simple automations and how they can work together instead of competing.
Recognise common security and data‑governance risks when using Copilots and have practical steps to mitigate them.
Have a clear, non‑technical checklist for preparing content and data so Copilot responses are more accurate, relevant, and safe.
!
Come and Enjoy Laura and Claire break everything so you don't have to !
3 things you'll get out of this session
Understand the different types of Microsoft Copilots available to business users and where they appear in day‑to‑day tools (email, documents, data analytics, line‑of‑business apps).
Know when to reach for Copilot versus simple automations and how they can work together instead of competing.
Recognise common security and data‑governance risks when using Copilots and have practical steps to mitigate them.
Have a clear, non‑technical checklist for preparing content and data so Copilot responses are more accurate, relevant, and safe.
Speakers
Laura Graham-Brown's other proposed sessions for 2026
She-Ra and the Masters of the Dataverse - 2026
"Low Code, High Chaos: Taming the Shadow IT Beast" - 2026
Boost Power BI Productivity with TMDL Libraries - 2026
Centre of Excellence: Your Governance Superheroes Assemble! - 2026
Fabric Data Agents vs. Copilot Studio - 2026
Microsoft Fabric Activator and Power Automate - a great combination - 2026
Microsoft Fabric and the mess of SharePoint - 2026
Translytical Flows vs Embedding a Power App in your report - 2026
Why should we care about adoption? - 2026
Laura Graham-Brown's previous sessions
How to improve Q&A in Power BI
In this session we will go through a number of techniques to get closer to that natural language that Q&A visuals offer.
Making Dungeons and Dragons Accessible
Can we make the complex Dungeons and Dragons character sheet accessible using Power BI and low-code solutions? Lots of demos and banter between these speakers
Bringing Power BI into the Dataverse (and bringing Dataverse into Power BI)
Make the most of the data in Dataverse-based Microsoft Power Apps and Dynamics 365 with Power BI.
Gathering Report Requirements
How do we as report builders understand what our customers want and need in a report.
Power BI Charticulator
Come and learn this low-code tool to create your own visuals in Power BI
Power Query is taking over
This session will Power Query which is now a must for the keen citizen developer.