How the workspace is the next AI battleground

While the likes of OpenAI, Google and Anthropic are stealing the spotlight in the GenAI space, the real battle to dominate your every-day use of AI will shift into another gear come September.

And the battleground is going to be in the workspace

Most of the time useful, sometimes creepy, we’ve all been using AI in some shape and form for years, be it when you have been getting directions from your maps application, recommendations from Spotify or when your social media platform of choice uncannily serves you up ads for something you’ve been thinking about buying. Always present, but never in our face. 

This, of course, changed when Chat GPT 3.5 was launched by OpenAI back in November 2022.

Over the last 20 months the race to release the best, most comprehensive, least hallucinogenic and most natural large language models (LLM) to help you cheat on write your essay, re-write your e-mails and generate Wes Anderson stylised versions of your favourite films.

Clash Of The Titans

Even though it is evident that AI is a general purpose technology - it will have wide-ranging effects across many industries and areas of our lives, humans tend to behave like humans; we fall in love with the novelty of the technology before we see the true value of it. Blockchain and the Metaverse are just some of the recent examples of this. As we near the end of the hype cycle we will see GenAI follow the same arch as its big brother AI and move from prompt-style product to fully integrated functionality.  

Which brings us to the next battlefield - the workplace - where we will see two key adversaries “clash”.

During the last year, Microsoft has evolved its implementation across its full ecosystem. And to say it was a baptism of fire is an understatement. The tech giants learnt the hard way how much LLMs can hallucinate and to what lengths users will go to get around the guard rails put in place to ensure it does not go off the rails. 

While Microsoft spent much of last year leading the charge, improving its implementation of Copilot across its ecosystem, Apple has done its usual wait-and-see routine, quietly sharpening its axes off-scene, building its take on artificial intelligence before unveiling Apple Intelligence at its World Wide Developers Conference in June this year. 

Battle Lines Drawn

Now, what does this mean for the modern workplace?

It may be cynical, but regardless of the allure of the new kids on the block, the future of work will be shaped predominantly by the AI approaches of the incumbent tech giants. While there may be niche platforms or products finding their way into the workplace, Apple Intelligence and Microsoft Copilot will be at the forefront, each offering unique benefits that cater to different aspects of the modern work environment. 

While Microsoft undoubtedly has a firm grasp on the enterprise market, Apple hardware has made its way into the workplace, capitalising on the trend of employee choice where workers prefer to use devices that fit into their personal ecosystem, and conversely, this will play out in the AI-driven workplace as well. 

Conversely, Microsoft Copilot is designed to enhance productivity within professional environments. By integrating deeply with Microsoft 365 applications like Word, Excel, and Teams, Copilot automates repetitive tasks, generates content, and offers intelligent suggestions that significantly boost efficiency. Its cloud-based approach leverages powerful computational resources, making it ideal for handling complex tasks and facilitating team collaboration. 

However, this reliance on cloud processing also raises privacy concerns among employees that organisations must address. 

Apple has played the long game when it comes to personal data privacy and with Apple Intelligence they are leveraging on-device data processing to ensure privacy and provide highly contextual assistance. The integration across their hardware ecosystem, from iPhone to their smartwatches, ensures a cohesive and personal user experience, allowing users to maintain productivity and connectivity seamlessly.

So are we going to see the emergence of a new hybrid worker who leverages both ecosystems to fit their dual personalities, using Microsoft Copilot for collaborative tasks and enterprise productivity, while utilising Apple Intelligence for on-device tasks requiring privacy and personal data security? Don’t bet against it! 

Enterprises will likely push for the adoption of Microsoft Copilot to streamline collaboration and enhance productivity. Employees, on the other hand, may prefer using Apple Intelligence for tasks that are work-related but personal in nature. 

Employers can mandate all the training, guard rails and policies in the world, but employees will always look for ways to optimise tasks to fit their workflow. At Designit, having worked extensively with employee experience over the years, we see the need for employers to design workflows that respect these preferences, offering employees the best of both worlds.

Fostering a culture that values both productivity and privacy is the key to a modern workplace. By acknowledging and supporting the preferences of employees while aligning them with organisational goals, employers can create a balanced and effective work environment that leverages the strengths of both Apple Intelligence and Microsoft Copilot.

So who will win the battle? Perhaps the question should be more - do we need to have a winner? Or even a battle at all? 

Ultimately, the future of AI in the workplace isn't about choosing sides — it's about creating a harmonious environment where both technologies can thrive. Forward-thinking employers will recognise the power of integrating these tools to boost productivity while respecting employee privacy.