{"version":1,"type":"story","url":"https://digestai.news/story/microsoft-advises-businesses-to-start-ai-projects-with-clear-goals","json":"https://digestai.news/story/microsoft-advises-businesses-to-start-ai-projects-with-clear-goals.json","markdown":"https://digestai.news/story/microsoft-advises-businesses-to-start-ai-projects-with-clear-goals.md","slug":"microsoft-advises-businesses-to-start-ai-projects-with-clear-goals","headline":"Microsoft advises businesses to start AI projects with clear goals","summary":"Microsoft’s executive roundtable at the Community Summit NA, sponsored by Innovia Consulting, focused on AI adoption and workflow automation. Speakers included Leon Welicki, VP and GM of Power Platform; Dona Sarkar, Chief Troublemaker at Microsoft Enterprise AI Advocacy; and Shawn Dorward, COO at Innovia Consulting. The discussion emphasized aligning AI initiatives with measurable business outcomes rather than technology alone.\n\nWelicki and Sarkar stressed that organizations should define specific business problems before adopting AI. They warned against overusing generative AI for tasks better suited to traditional automation, such as repetitive or rule-based processes. Sarkar also highlighted the need for leadership to drive adoption, whether through structured initiatives or organic team adoption, while keeping human oversight central to success.","keyPoints":["Microsoft’s roundtable advised businesses to prioritize clear business goals over technology in AI projects","Generative AI may not be needed for tasks requiring consistent, predictable outputs","Leadership plays a key role in successful AI adoption, per Microsoft’s speakers"],"whyItMatters":"Microsoft’s guidance helps businesses avoid costly AI missteps by focusing on practical, goal-driven adoption strategies.","category":{"slug":"enterprise","name":"Enterprise & Industry","url":"https://digestai.news/category/enterprise"},"entities":{"companies":["Microsoft","Innovia Consulting","Dynamic Communities","Cloud Wars"],"models":[],"people":["Leon Welicki","Dona Sarkar","Shawn Dorward","Dewain Robinson","John Siefert"]},"firstPublishedAt":"2026-10-14T08:02:00Z","updatedAt":"2026-10-14T08:02:00Z","sourceCount":1,"hasPrimarySource":false,"sources":[{"outlet":"cloudwars.com","title":"Redefining Workflows with Microsoft AI & Power Platform: Start with Business Goals, Not Technology","url":"https://cloudwars.com/ai/redefining-workflows-with-microsoft-ai-and-power-platform-start-with-business-goals-not-technology","publishedAt":"2026-10-14T08:02:00Z","type":"press","primary":false,"lead":true}],"sourceNotes":null,"discussions":[],"thread":null,"cite":{"text":"Digest AI, \"Microsoft advises businesses to start AI projects with clear goals\", 14 October 2026, https://digestai.news/story/microsoft-advises-businesses-to-start-ai-projects-with-clear-goals","publisher":"Digest AI","title":"Microsoft advises businesses to start AI projects with clear goals","datePublished":"2026-10-14T08:02:00Z","url":"https://digestai.news/story/microsoft-advises-businesses-to-start-ai-projects-with-clear-goals"},"generatedBy":"Written by Digest AI's editorial model from the linked sources; the sources are the record.","license":"Headlines, digests and key points are written by Digest AI and may be quoted with a link to the story page. Linked articles belong to their publishers. Terms: https://digestai.news/terms#reuse"}