Session Abstract

Microsoft Copilot promises transformative productivity, but some of its most powerful use cases happen long before organisation-wide deployment. In this session, Rebecka Isaksson (Microsoft MVP), and Charlene King (Associate Director, Knowledge & Information Management, The Open University) share a candid, in-flight story of how Copilot helped shape the creation of a brand-new Knowledge & Information Management function at UK's largest university. Along the way, Charlene used Copilot to accelerate strategy development, team design, recruitment, workshop preparation, and decision-making, while navigating the cultural and organisational challenges that often determine whether AI succeeds or fails. Together, we'll explore: • Why successful Copilot adoption is a leadership challenge, not a technology deployment project • Why governance, lifecycle management and content quality are enablers, not blockers, for AI success • How communities, knowledge sharing and organisational learning create the conditions for trusted AI adoption This is not a polished "after" story. It's an honest look at the real decisions, tensions and lessons learned while building the foundations for AI adoption in a complex organisation. Whether you're responsible for Copilot, SharePoint, governance, or organisational change, you'll leave with practical ideas you can take back to your own organisation.

Note to event organizers

Co-delivery with my favourite client! Charlene King is heading up the first Knowledge & Information Management team at the Open University - based in Milton Keynes, the largest online uni in Europe, with 200k students and 4k faculty members and staff.

Rebecka Isaksson

Rebecka Isaksson is the Founder of KnowFlow Value and a Knowledge in M365 and Copilot Strategy & Adoption specialist, helping organizations turn Content Chaos into Copilot Ready - with [Engage] Communities as an adoption accelerator. A Microsoft MVP and former Director of Knowledge Management at Microsoft HQ, she brings 15+ years of expertise in collaboration, content governance, and AI-powered knowledge strategies. She’s the creator and host of the Knowledge Fika (now 2.0) podcast, where Swedish fika meets smart conversations on AI and knowledge in M365 - featuring Microsoft Execs, Experts and MVPs. Beyond the stage, Rebecka mentors and coaches emerging KM professionals and AI transformation leaders, fuelling the next wave of talent in this space. A sought-after keynote speaker and panellist at global events, Rebecka delivers practical insights on how AI accelerates knowledge strategies - and vice versa - and why culture change is the real game-changer. Recognized as a Microsoft MVP in 2024 (SP) and since 2026 also for Copilot, she continues to champion ethical, human-centric approaches to AI adoption.

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