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AI Automation: where to from the manual prompt?

Copilot Insights Series #2

AI and Digital Workplace Futures

Automation is a big piece of the value proposition for Generative AI, including Copilot. To identify where opportunities will emerge for partners to position Copilot in the near to mid-horizon, it helps to put it in context with digital workplace trends over the next decade.

The graph below shows how we at IBRS believe things will evolve.

What we’re looking at here is a timeline, starting at around 2023 to the left and tracking IBRS predictions through to 2036 at the right.

On this timeline, our current position in 2025 is just at the very early entry stages of Workforce Transformation.

You can click here for a larger view of this graph.

The top trend line represents economic inflection points in the market. This is when technologies become so accessible and affordable, they’re kind of no-brainers and most businesses will be using them.

The lower trend line tracks what businesses will use these technologies for – the use cases that will drive adoption and implementation. These can be a little harder to predict. In the video and the summary points below, I’ll offer more context to this, with particular respect to generative AI and automation.

Key Points

#1. AI adoption is still primitive.

Despite the hype around generative AI tools like Microsoft Copilot, current use is still very basic. Most organisations are stuck in the “prompt and respond” phase—manually typing queries to get AI-generated outputs. This isn’t sustainable for real business efficiency.

Typing instructions into an AI might feel futuristic, but it’s not scalable. True value comes when AI is embedded directly into business processes, automating repetitive tasks that are difficult or costly for humans to perform at scale.

#2. AI will become embedded in process orchestration.

Looking ahead, the real power of AI will come from integrating it within process orchestration systems. AI won’t just sit beside workflows — it will run within them.

In 2025, AI agents will dominate the conversation. Tools like Microsoft’s Copilot Studio and Agent Gardens will allow businesses to move from basic prompting to more advanced automated solutions.

These AI agents will begin to show up inside everyday workflow tools, especially through platforms like Microsoft’s Power Platform and Power Automate.

This is where true efficiency gains will happen — automating industry-specific tasks within existing processes.

#3. AI orchestration platforms as the next big thing.

By 2026, the future of AI will be defined by orchestration platforms — unified environments that bring together:

Low-code tools
Generative AI
Machine learning
Integration and automation technologies

These platforms will collapse today’s fragmented toolsets into seamless environments where custom automation solutions can be created and deployed easily.

For organisations, this means enormous opportunities to boost productivity, cut costs, and deliver rapid business value.

#4. Near-term opportunities for partners and clients.

For IT providers, software developers, and security professionals, we predict the near horizon of AI opportunity will emerge the three main areas:

Security and Governance
Embedded AI in software
Custom AI APIs

Read on for a little more information around these.

Security and Governance.

AI needs guardrails. Organisations will require governance processes to manage:

Data going into AI models
Responses generated by AI
Risk mitigation practices

This is a growing field for security and compliance experts.

Embedded AI in Software.

Independent Software Vendors (ISVs) and industry-specific solution providers should start embedding AI directly into their products. The more niche and specialized the use case, the greater the client value.

Custom AI APIs.

Developers can build custom APIs or Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) offerings that apply AI to very specific business problems. This opens up new recurring revenue streams.

Invisible AI as the long game

Over time, AI will become so integrated into business processes that it will feel invisible — much like e-business or digital transformation became expected rather than exciting.

Through the next decade to 2035, the term “AI” may lose its current market buzz, but its role in business operations will only deepen.

The real future of AI isn’t just about smarter chatbots or better prompts. It’s about seamless automation that delivers clear, measurable business value.

For organisations ready to lead, now is the time to move from experimenting with AI to embedding it deeply within workflows.

Those who focus on practical automation, governance, and industry-specific solutions will have a clear advantage in the evolving AI landscape. Yet, there are risks to be managed on the way and in the next episode, I’ll dig into this further.

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About the Author

Dr. Sweeney is a principal advisor and industry analyst at IBRS. He is a recognised thought leader in Future of Work, digital innovation, workforce transformation, and organisational change strategy. His fields of expertise include Microsoft, Google, AWS, VMware and Citrix.