There has been a lot of buzz lately around new AI tools like generative AI and large language models. Here at McNair Media, we focus on how these emerging technologies can benefit small business owners by enhancing workflows and efficiency. In this post, we’ll look at how tools like Microsoft 365 Copilot and Google Workspace’s Duet AI are bringing the power of AI to small teams and individuals.
Microsoft 365 Copilot and Google Workspace’s Duet AI
Major developments for productivity have come from Microsoft and Google in their Copilot and Duet AI services for their Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace customers.
Microsoft 365 Copilot uses large language models that work alongside apps like Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook to provide real-time intelligent assistance. It aims to enhance user creativity, productivity, and skills by integrating into the apps people already use daily.
Similarly, Duet AI is a generative AI assistant for Google Workspace that works across apps like Gmail, Docs, Sheets, Slides, and Meet. It helps users with writing, visualizing data, workflow automation, and more.
Both tools start at $30 per month currently and are strong contenders reshape the office workflows by adding these AI tools in natively into composing emails and creating documents.
Benefits for Small Businesses
These AI tools have exciting implications for small business owners. For example, generative AI can summarize large amounts of data quickly, which is extremely valuable. There is often a wealth of business data that goes unexamined due to lack of time and resources. AI can generate reports and find correlations, allowing small teams to leverage insights they would otherwise miss. Injecting these tools into the most popular spreadsheet and presentation software is going to have a massive effect.
Additionally, features like email and document composition can save small teams time and energy on administrative tasks. AI allows workers to focus their efforts on higher-value work.
While Copilot and Duet AI are not yet available to individual users and small teams, we expect access to expand in the future. Other AI tools for efficiency and automation are already accessible for small businesses today.
A Promising Future
AI is transforming workflows by taking on time-consuming tasks and surfacing insights from data. Small teams stand to benefit tremendously from incorporating AI tools into their tech stacks. While access is still limited, the offerings from Microsoft, Google, and other tech companies signal a promising future where AI makes small teams more productive, creative, and successful.
