Breaking the Barriers of AI with Copilot
In today's fast-paced digital world, businesses are increasingly turning to artificial intelligence, but many still struggle to integrate these technologies fully into their workflows. A recent report indicated that many companies employing Microsoft Copilot have hit a wall: they often find themselves using AI for simplistic tasks like summarizing meetings or drafting emails but fail to leverage its potential in broader business processes. Addressing this issue, Youseful Inc., based in Chiyoda, Tokyo, has launched the latest edition of its guide, "Copilot 最新活用ガイド_2026年1月版", to guide businesses toward seamless AI implementation.
The Background: Japan's Lagging AI Adoption
According to Microsoft's "Work Trend Index", Japan's adoption rate of generative AI stands at a mere 32%. This figure highlights a major challenge as it is the lowest among the countries surveyed and significantly below the global average of 75%. The delay in AI utilization in Japan remains a pressing concern for local businesses. Even those who have integrated AI tools into their operations find themselves using them in limited capacities—mainly for basic tasks like note-taking and email preparations—while expressing uncertainty about how to incorporate AI into more complex business workflows. This stagnation underscores a pivotal moment for Japanese companies as they must decide whether to merely use AI as an auxiliary tool or to fully adopt it as a cooperative partner in enhancing productivity.
Features of the Guide: Balancing Daily Operations with Cutting-Edge Functions
The primary goal of the guide is to provide practical knowledge accessible to all employees, helping them become proficient in using Copilot without needing specialized skills. It offers insights from three perspectives that support everyday business processes and recent feature implementations:
1. Basic Utilization Techniques for Daily Operations
The guide emphasizes strategies that can dramatically improve the efficiency of routine desk tasks, such as:
- - Automating Handwritten Notes: Capture your whiteboard or handwritten notes with your smartphone, converting them into text and summaries instantly.
- - Enhancing Research Accuracy: Ensure the reliability of information by confirming the sources supporting your findings, thereby maintaining high standards of precision in business research.
2. Latest Feature Implementations: Excel and Teams' Agent Features
The guide introduces new application-standard agent features, making AI functionalities accessible without complex setups:
- - Excel Agent Mode: Copilot now autonomously creates tables and conducts multi-level analyses directly on worksheets based on your commands.
- - Teams Channel Agent: Rely on AI within a Teams channel to quickly compile reports on previous discussions with just a simple request.
3. Bridging Gaps in Workflows through M365 App Integration
With Copilot integrated directly into various app interfaces, the effort required to switch between tools is eliminated:
- - Utilizing Copilot Chat in Microsoft365 Apps: Engage with Copilot while working in applications like PowerPoint or Excel, receiving sophisticated answers and suggestions based on your content seamlessly.
- - Reusing Past Assets: Quickly locate previously generated images and documents using a search function, establishing a repeatable knowledge-sharing mechanism across the organization.
Download the Free Guide
"Copilot 最新活用ガイド" is available for free download, providing essential insights into fully utilizing Copilot.
Future Outlook: Empowering All Business Professionals to Master AI
Moving forward, Youseful Inc. plans to continue offering this kind of cutting-edge knowledge for free. They will also accelerate the rollout of services designed for corporate clients, including training programs to help integrate the recently launched agent features into real workflows. Additionally, services that objectively assess individual skill levels, such as "Excel Skill Assessment" and "Copilot Literacy Assessment", will be introduced. By facilitating diverse learning opportunities combining Microsoft 365 with generative AI, Youseful aims to create a society where all business professionals can benefit from the power of AI.
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