AI and Copilot for Strategic Impact
From AI Tool to Work Multiplier
When employees gain access to Copilot without any formal training, this often leads to limited adoption, uneven results, and missed opportunities for real productivity gains. When employers invest in structured Copilot training, they equip their teams with the skills and confidence needed to use AI effectively, safely, and consistently across the organization. With hands-on practice, clear workflows, and a better understanding of how AI thinks, employees can automate routine tasks, improve communication, and produce higher-quality work faster. Ultimately, Copilot training transforms AI from an optional tool into a powerful capacity multiplier—accelerating ROI, strengthening performance, and jump-starting the organization’s broader AI readiness.
When employees learn how to use Copilot effectively, they experience immediate wins: faster workflows, clearer writing, easier data analysis, and less time spent on repetitive tasks. These quick, tangible gains build trust in AI and shift the internal narrative from “AI is intimidating” to “AI makes my job easier.” As confidence grows, teams become more willing to experiment, explore new use cases, and integrate AI into broader processes.
This competence also creates organizational momentum. Once staff see how Copilot enhances productivity, they start imagining additional ways AI could improve customer service, project management, training, or strategic decision-making. Leaders gain a more accurate understanding of AI’s potential because the benefits show up directly in daily work, not just in theory. In this way, Copilot becomes the gateway—helping employees develop the mindset, skills, and curiosity needed for deeper AI adoption, ultimately preparing the entire organization for a more comprehensive and successful AI transformation.
Program Details
Program Dates
February 26, 2026
Registration Deadline
February 12, 2026
To request additional program information, please fill out our interest form.
Delivery Method
1 full day, on campus
Cost
$700 if you register by December 31, 2025
$950 if you register between January 1-February 12, 2026
To get the most out of the class, you’ll need a Microsoft 365 Copilot Business or Microsoft 365 Premium Individual license to attend. Participants will use several paid features throughout the class not available to free or lower tier licenses.
Promotions and Available Discounts
- Discounts are available for Ohio State University employees, OSUWMC employees, Veterans, employees from non-profit organizations, and organizations who send 3 or more employees. For more information about discounts, please contact Alison Cherubini-Hillyer at cherubini-hillyer.1@osu.edu.
Prospective Participant Profile
Professionals who want to quickly boost their productivity, digital skills, and confidence with Copilot. This program is ideal for individuals seeking practical workflows to automate routine tasks, improve communication, and enhance their impact at work, regardless of their prior experience with AI.
Program Value
- Increased Confidence with AI: Participants walk away with a solid understanding of how AI works and how Copilot “thinks,” giving them confidence to use it without hesitation or fear of making mistakes.
- Immediate Productivity Boost: They learn practical workflows that save hours each week—drafting content, analyzing data, summarizing meetings, building presentations, and automating routine tasks.
- Stronger Digital Skills for Career Growth: Mastering Copilot becomes a competitive career advantage, demonstrating adaptability, tech fluency, and readiness for the future of work—all traits employers value=
- Ability to Create Higher-Quality Deliverables: Participants learn to produce clearer writing, cleaner PowerPoints, stronger insights, and more polished projects—leading to better performance and visibility.
- Reduced Stress and Cognitive Load: Copilot helps manage information overload, repetitive tasks, and administrative work, allowing individuals to focus on meaningful, strategic contributions.
- Expanded Creativity and Problem-Solving: With tools like Notebooks, Analyst Agents, and video/infographic creation, individuals discover new ways to express ideas, explain concepts, and solve problems creatively.
- A Safe Space to Explore and Experiment: The program provides structured, hands-on learning where participants can practice prompting, test ideas, and build AI-driven projects without time pressure or judgment.
- Immediate Workplace Impact: Everything learned can be used the very next day at work, making the experience feel relevant, empowering, and directly tied to real job tasks.
- A Better Preparedness for the AI Era: Participants develop a mindset of exploration and continuous learning, positioning themselves as early adopters who can guide others as AI evolves.
- Faster, More Consistent ROI on Copilot Licensing: Most organizations underutilize Copilot when employees are left to “figure it out.” Training accelerates adoption, ensures consistent usage, and helps the company quickly recapture the value of its technology investment.
- Standardized, Higher-Quality Work Across the Organization: Trained employees produce cleaner writing, stronger PowerPoints, clearer communication, and more accurate analyses. This reduces errors, version chaos, and rework—improving output quality at scale.
- Significant Productivity Gains Without Additional Headcount: When employees know how to use Copilot properly, routine tasks become automated or accelerated. Teams can handle more work with the same resources, easing staffing pressure and reducing burnout.
- Increased Employee Confidence and Reduced AI Resistance: Formal training gives staff the clarity and safety they need to explore Copilot without fear of “messing up.” As confidence grows, resistance drops and curiosity increases—creating a culture ready for deeper AI adoption.
- Stronger Risk Management and Responsible AI Usage: Trained teams learn the right prompting behaviors, data handling practices, and safety guidelines. This reduces legal, compliance, and governance risks from unstructured or incorrect Copilot use.
- Better Collaboration and Communication Across Departments: When everyone learns common AI skills, vocabulary, and workflows, team collaboration becomes faster and more aligned. Meetings shorten, documentation improves, and cross-functional work becomes smoother.
- More Innovation and AI-Enabled Problem Solving: Employees who are trained begin identifying additional ways AI can improve business processes—unlocking new efficiencies and opportunities leadership may not have considered.
- Increased Engagement and Professional Growth: Investing in training signals to employees that the organization is investing in them. This strengthens engagement, retention, and morale—especially among high performers and early adopters.
- Clearer Path for Future AI Transformation: Copilot training serves as a low-risk, high-impact starting point for the organization's broader AI journey. Once staff are fluent in the basics, the organization is better positioned to scale AI solutions with confidence.
- Expert Guidance from Jim Perry for Real-World Use Cases: With Jim Perry’s experience, participants receive practical, business-focused instruction—not generic tech training. His examples, workflows, and teaching style help employees apply AI immediately to their day-to-day tasks.
All cancellations and transfers must be received in writing. Submit your request via email to Jennie McAndrew at mcandrew.28@osu.edu with the name of the program, followed by “cancellation” or “transfer” in the subject line.
- Cancellations must be made at least thirty (30) days prior to the first day of the program in order to be eligible for a full refund.
- Cancellations must be made at least fourteen (14) days prior to the first day of the program in order to be eligible for a 50% refund.
- Any cancellations made less than fourteen (14) days prior to the first day of the program will forfeit the registration fee.
- If you for any reason are unable to attend the program, please consider sending someone in your place. Participants can transfer their registration to someone else within their organization at no charge up to 24 hours before the first day of the program.