By: Michael Comer, Specialist & Janzen Small, Consultant – Project Delivery Services, MRE Consulting
The buzz around Artificial Intelligence has reached a fever pitch, and for good reason. The speed at which this technology is evolving is nothing short of remarkable. Consider this: while it took decades for technologies like mobile phones and the internet to reach mass adoption, ChatGPT shattered records by hitting 100 million users in a mere 60 days. This explosive growth underscores a fundamental truth: AI isn’t a distant future anymore – it’s the present, and it’s rapidly reshaping our world.
At MRE Consulting, we understand the critical importance of staying at the forefront of technological advancements. To gain firsthand insights into the latest developments and understand how industry leaders are leveraging AI, our Project Delivery Services (PDS) Division recently attended the Microsoft Artificial Intelligence Tour in Houston on March 19, 2025. This immersive event offered a deep dive into Microsoft’s cutting-edge AI innovations, particularly focusing on the transformative potential of Copilot.
The tour featured a dynamic blend of functional and technical sessions, allowing us to strategically divide and conquer, maximizing our learning experience. While the entire day was packed with valuable information, two key takeaways truly underscored the immediate and significant impact of AI across industries.
Michael’s Highlight: Unlocking Business Potential with Azure AI Foundry
For me, the highlight of the day was the breakout session on Azure AI Foundry. This session provided a compelling look at how Microsoft is democratizing access to powerful AI capabilities through the combination of Azure AI Foundry and Copilot Studio.
Imagine being able to leverage the power of large language models, not just on general data, but on your own proprietary business information. That’s precisely what these tools enable. By training AI models on internal datasets, businesses can unlock unprecedented levels of productivity and gain deeper, more relevant insights.
What’s particularly exciting about Azure AI Foundry and Copilot Studio is their potential to demystify AI. They are breaking down the “black box,” making sophisticated AI tools more accessible and user-friendly for a wider range of users within an organization. At MRE Consulting, we immediately recognized the immense potential for our clients. We’re already exploring how we can leverage these tools to help them harness the power of AI for tangible growth and a significant competitive edge.
Janzen’s Highlight: AI Revolutionizing the Energy Sector
My focus was on the Energy & AI breakout session, which offered a fascinating glimpse into how AI is transforming the utilities sector. It was eye-opening to see the tangible ways major players in the energy industry are already implementing AI agents to optimize their operations.
From boosting efficiency and streamlining energy management to enabling more informed, data-driven decisions, the applications of AI in this sector are vast and impactful. One statistic that particularly stood out was the finding that 40% of organizations are implementing AI initiatives within just six months, and these initiatives are yielding an impressive average ROI of $3.50 for every $1 invested. This clearly demonstrates that AI isn’t just a theoretical concept; it’s delivering measurable business value right now.
This session reinforced the understanding that AI is no longer a futuristic aspiration but a practical solution being actively deployed to drive significant improvements in critical industries.
Looking Ahead: Embracing the AI-Powered Future
Attending the Microsoft AI Tour was an invaluable experience, providing us with firsthand exposure to the cutting-edge of AI innovation. The potential of tools like Copilot and Azure AI Foundry to revolutionize how businesses operate is undeniable. At MRE, we are energized and excited to help our clients embrace these advancements and unlock the full potential of AI to drive their success in the years to come. The future of business is intelligent, and we’re ready to help our clients lead the way.
