THE AI INTERVIEW
employees to focus on the more complex tasks, focus on being in front of customers and being in front of partners.”
Why transparent and responsible AI trial and error leads to success Proving Microsoft’ s principles of looking inward before it looks outward – Pamela’ s role sits at an intersection that shapes how Microsoft deploys AI internally while helping customers navigate their own transformations.
“ That gives me a 360 view, that dual focus – and I channel the insights both ways.”
This is Microsoft’ s“ Customer Zero” strategy in action: using your own products to transform operations before asking customers to trust them.
For Microsoft, it means deploying Copilot – the tech giant’ s AI assistant – and autonomous agents across sales and support, then learning from what actually happens.
After years in the Microsoft ecosystem, Pamela observes something qualitatively different about how customers are engaging with AI today.
“ Customers really want to learn from our experience with this technology because they see that there’ s a lot that goes around the technology in terms of achieving success,” she says.
The difference is that AI demands more than technical implementation – it requires business model change, leadership change, mindset shift and culture change to really achieve value.
The results within Microsoft suggest the approach works.
Early Copilot pilots show 9.4 % higher revenue per seller amongst high users. Automated pre-meeting briefs arrive 24 hours in advance. Post-meeting summaries update CRM systems with a single click – and automated proposal drafts free sellers to focus on strategy rather than administration.
The importance of AI education for all Beyond corporate deployments, one of Pamela’ s most passionate areas of her job is her mission to democratise AI skills. In July, Microsoft launched Elevate and the AI Economy Institute, consolidating technology support, donations and programmes for schools, colleges and nonprofits.
Over five years, Microsoft will donate more than US $ 4bn globally. The Elevate Academy aims to help 20 million people earn AI credentials within two years.
The work is already producing results globally.
At Houston Community College, Professor Patricia McManus collaborates with Microsoft to deliver AI Bootcamps. In Lima, Peru, the World Bank works with local authorities to empower 482 teachers using Copilot. In Brazil, Microsoft’ s ConectAI initiative aims to train five million people in AI skills by 2027.
Putting energy, funding and resources behind AI upskilling isn’ t just about equal opportunities – but a smart investment for any company looking to hire people that understand AI and how to work alongside it in the future.
30 February 2026