Episode 104: How AI Makes Us More Human (w/ Phil Topness)

AI won’t do everything for us, but it can clear space for the work that matters. In this episode, Phil Topness shares how AI enables organizations to shift from merely checking boxes to unlocking creativity and connection. We discuss adoption journeys, the importance of governance and data readiness, and how executive sponsors can establish a vision that drives measurable value. Phil also explains the role of champions, the importance of telling success stories, and how to balance small efficiency gains with bold, high-impact use cases.

Prompt engineering can feel like a secret language. April Dunnam returns to explain how Prompt Coach helps everyone speak it more clearly. From refining prompts to checking compliance and teaching best practices, Prompt Coach provides users with a smoother start to using Copilot and agents. We also cover when to roll it out, how it supports adoption, and why prompt libraries matter.   Prompt Coach is open source. Explore it and the community prompt libraries here: https://github.com/pnp/powerplatform-prompts https://github.com/pnp/copilot-prompts

Inventory matters. This week, we bring on Mik Ferland to take a look under the hood of the new Power Platform Admin Center. Mik explains why inventory comes first, how it works tenant-wide, and what is next for apps and flows. You'll also learn when to use Manage, Monitoring, or Licensing, and what you can expect at PPCC.   Explore the public GitHub repo here: aka.ms/CodeApps

This week we go full pro code. Guests Casey Burke and Marcel Ferreira share how Power Platform is opening doors for professional developers with bring-your-own-code, generative UX, GitHub integration, and automated testing. Whether you’re a pro dev curious about low code or a maker looking to understand the deeper stack, this episode delivers technical insights, practical guidance, and a preview of what’s next at PPCC.   Find the repo at aka.ms/CodeApps

Triple digits!!! A hundred episodes of stories, guests, governance tangents, and Ken being recognized in public for his voice. In this episode, Sean hosts a quiz show that stirs up everything from favorite guest moments to culinary metaphors, while Wendy, Jocelyn, and Ken weigh in on how the podcast has shaped adoption, security, and community. It’s a milestone worth celebrating and worth listening to. Thanks for being part of the journey!

Data security in the age of AI requires more than just basic protections. It's an ongoing, evolving challenge. In this episode, Jen Kemmerer, Senior Cloud Solution Architect specializing in data security, breaks down how organizations can manage sensitive information in the era of AI and Microsoft Purview. From the rise of AI-powered agents to tools like DSPM for AI, Jen explains how businesses can stay ahead of data security risks while embracing AI innovations. Tune in for actionable insights on keeping your data safe and navigating the evolving landscape of security and AI.

The automation world is shifting and Carsten Groth is here to guide you through it. In this episode, you'll learn why AI-driven automation is the next big thing and how large language models are leaving robotic process automation in the dust. From eliminating tedious tasks to integrating AI with legacy systems, Carsten’s insights will have you rethinking your entire automation strategy. Don’t settle for old-school RPA. Tune in to learn how AI can supercharge your processes.

Rolling out Copilot across thousands of employees worldwide is no small feat. Getting people across time zones, languages, and roles to not just use it but actually embrace it? That takes real strategy.   Matt Kirby from Hewlett Packard Enterprise joins us to share how they made Copilot adoption stick at enterprise scale. From live, unscripted demos that flipped skeptics to building community-driven learning hubs, Matt breaks down the practical steps that kept momentum alive and avoided the usual one-and-done training trap.

Change is hard. Rafsan makes it make sense. IT pro, MVP, and on-the-ground change agent, Rafsan Huseynov joins us to talk about what it really takes to roll out AI and Copilot agents across a global enterprise. From dealing with shadow IT to wrangling zone strategies and tech debt, Rafsan shares practical, hard-earned advice on how to drive adoption, win over skeptics, and keep innovation from getting stuck in POC purgatory. If you’re looking for the blueprint to scale responsibly without killing momentum, this will hit home. 

Welcome to the governance glow-up. Zohar Raz breaks down what’s new in Managed Governance and how the Power Platform Admin Center is making life easier for admins across the board. We talk green zones, guardrails, and how to let employees build with freedom without opening the floodgates. Plus, what it really means to manage agents, apps, flows, and costs at scale (and why SharePoint permissions might be your best friend).