Rapid Circle unveils Copilot AI Centre of Excellence in ANZ

Tech consultancy Rapid Circle has announced the launch of its Microsoft Copilot AI Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Australia and New Zealand.

Located in Melbourne, the Centre will focus on the development, adoption, and optimisation of AI-driven solutions with the use of Microsoft's Copilot capabilities, aiming to enhance productivity and create business value for its customers.

The CoE serves as an innovation hub, where Rapid Circle will experiment with AI technologies alongside intelligent workplace solutions, application modernisation, and cloud transformation initiatives. The hub is designed to promote continuous learning and innovation, encouraging teams to explore new AI use cases and solutions.

Rodney Hobbs, Chief Technology Officer of Rapid Circle, highlighted the importance of the initiative, stating, "The executives I talk to all share the same challenges: driving agility, achieving operational efficiency, and uplifting experiences both inside and outside the enterprise. The opening of our CoE will deliver real outcomes as AI permeates across the business landscape, while creating further opportunities for Rapid Circle to accelerate its continued expansion across Australia and New Zealand."

A key component of the CoE will include spaces dedicated to demonstrating AI solutions to professionals interested in their potential. These spaces will offer interactive exhibits and live demonstrations, highlighting how AI can transform business processes, improve decision-making, streamline operations, and enhance user experiences.

The centre will also feature real-world case studies demonstrating successful AI implementations by Rapid Circle. These case studies will highlight how organisations have achieved efficiency improvements and innovation through the use of AI, serving as inspiration for others to embark on their own AI journeys.

Rapid Circle will offer training and enablement programs intended to boost customer and partner AI capabilities. These offerings will include workshops, hands-on labs, and certification programs focused on topics ranging from AI fundamentals to advanced techniques and best practices.

Cassandra Ashworth, Chief Executive of Rapid Circle, shared her perspective, "At Rapid Circle, we believe that the key to success lies in our ability to co-create innovative business solutions with our customers and Microsoft. This collaborative approach allows us to leverage the strengths of each party, ensuring that we deliver solutions that are not only effective but also sustainable and aligned with our customers' strategic objectives".

The centre will also facilitate collaborative activities such as brainstorming sessions and design thinking workshops, allowing Rapid Circle to work closely with clients and partners to develop tailored AI solutions addressing specific business challenges.

Vanessa Sorenson, Chief Partner Officer for Australia and New Zealand at Microsoft, commented on the significance of the launch, saying, "At Microsoft, we are committed to empowering every organisation to achieve more through the power of AI. The launch of Rapid Circle's Copilot AI Centre of Excellence is a significant step towards driving innovation and digital transformation across industries. We are excited to see how this initiative will enable businesses to harness the full potential of AI, enhance productivity, and deliver exceptional value to its customers."

In addition to the CoE, Rapid Circle is unveiling its Copilot Accelerator programme, a new offering aimed at expediting the deployment and adoption of AI solutions to ensure rapid and sustainable outcomes from AI investments.

The company also showcased Copilot Actions, an enhancement from the Microsoft Ignite 2024 event, which includes the creation of custom Copilot agents that can access data and take actions. These enhancements are intended to provide more tailored and efficient solutions for Rapid Circle's clients.