AI Use case series

AI Series 1: Exploring the Power of AI

AI Series 2: AI for Everyone: Unlocking the Potential of Everyday AI Tools

AI Series 3: AI-Powered Job Search: Navigating the Future of Work

AI Series 4: AI Use case series

Post 1: How AI Can Spark Creativity: My Unexpected Journey (to the 1700s) with Microsoft Copilot

Post 2: Crafting Compelling Business Cases: How AI Becomes Your Strategic Communication Partner

Introduction

Do you need to prepare a business justification? Whether it’s for attending a conference, buying new equipment, or initiating a project, getting approval often requires crafting a compelling argument. If writing isn’t your strong suit—or you’re just short on time—AI is your ally. Let’s explore how tools like Microsoft Copilot can help you make your case clearly and persuasively.

The Real-World Challenge

Recently, I wanted to attend the AI Copilot Summit NA in March. Of course, that meant I needed to get my manager’s approval for time off and travel expenses. Enter Copilot! With just a few simple prompts, I had a polished business justification draft—but the journey revealed far more than just a document.

My prompt:

“Copilot, help me prepare a business justification to go to AI Copilot Summit NA. Its website is at copilot.summitna.com. My core priorities are <>”.

The Surprising Output

The AI didn’t just generate a document; it became a sophisticated communication partner. It:

1. Summarized my key priorities, framing the argument around organizational goals
2. Provided contextual information about the conference
3. Drafted a professional-looking justification
4. Generated expected outcomes with surprising nuance

Under the Hood: How AI Really Works

What makes this technology fascinating isn’t just its output, but its underlying complexity. Copilot leverages a neural network that goes far beyond simple text generation:

• Natural Language Processing (NLP) decodes professional communication nuances
• Machine learning algorithms predict appropriate argumentative structures
• Contextual embedding techniques maintain coherence across writing styles

Critically, this isn’t about replacing human communication—it’s about augmenting our capabilities. The AI doesn’t just match keywords; it understands context, tone, and professional communication patterns.

The Human-AI Collaboration

While powerful, AI writing tools aren’t magic. They excel at structure and language, but lack the nuanced understanding of your specific organizational culture. The most effective approach is collaborative: use AI as a sophisticated drafting tool, but always infuse the final document with your unique professional insights.

When I reviewed Copilot’s draft, I realized its true value wasn’t in producing a perfect document, but in providing a strategic framework that I could personalize. The AI helped me:

• Identify key communication strategies
• Structure my argument more effectively
• Overcome initial writing inertia

Ethical Considerations and Limitations

It’s crucial to approach AI writing tools with a critical eye. These tools can:

• Accelerate document creation
• Provide structural guidance
• Offer language refinement

But they cannot:

• Fully understand your unique organizational context
• Replace critical human thinking
• Capture the full depth of personal experience

Challenge

Why not give this a try yourself? Here’s a quick exercise to test AI Copilot’s skills:

1. Scenario 1: Propose attending a skills-development workshop. Provide Copilot with the event name, its website, and your professional goals.
2. Scenario 2: Justify purchasing software for your team. Share your team’s needs, a brief description of the tool, and expected benefits.

For hands-on practice, use Microsoft’s Copilot for Work at m365.cloud.microsoft/chat. Upload documents or share your ideas directly—it’s like having a personal assistant that doesn’t need coffee breaks!

Summary

AI tools like Copilot remove the emotional roadblocks often associated with writing a business case. They provide structured arguments based on your inputs, helping you articulate your points effectively.

So, whether you’re requesting approval for a conference, software, or anything in between, let AI handle the heavy lifting. After all, when it comes to professional growth, it’s always worth the effort to advocate for yourself!

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Further Resources

• Home – AI Copilot Summit 2025
• How to Write an Argumentative Essay with AI | by James Smith | Medium
• Write stronger arguments with AI – Microsoft 365
• (1) Post | Feed | LinkedIn

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Disclosure

This blog post was drafted with AI assistance. I added my personal touch and take full responsibility for its content.

Additional disclosure: this business justification didn’t end up shaking budget loose.