Writing about Artificial Intelligence, Agents, Microsoft AI, and the Intelligence Age.
AI agents already visit our websites and interpret pages built for human eyes. This weekend, we gave all four sites a structured interface they can use safely.
My AI DevOps board looked frozen for twelve hours. The fix was not smarter orchestration, but a Ralph loop with real hard stops.
Sandy is a Windows 11 read-aloud app I built for dyslexia support, with Azure AI Speech, sentence-level playback, and click-to-read.
After 23 years working with enterprise CRM platforms, I built a custom AI-native replacement in a single afternoon. Here is why the SaaS model is about to change.
Dynamics 365 and Power Platform consultants need AI skills they can prove, not just tool familiarity. This 365-day plan shows how to build them.
AI agents in multi-agent systems do not know who each other are. Here is how to build an org directory that gives every agent persistent awareness of the full...
Dynamics 365 and Power Platform partner practices seeing slower demand need a reset towards workflow accountability, governed agents, adoption and measurable...
Ten AI agents, each owning a phase of the DevOps infinity loop, coordinated by an engineering-manager agent. How I built a development team that plans, builds...
A live audit of my OpenCLAW Azure VM found two critical gaps: no Azure-native VM backup and no Azure Monitor Agent. Here is what I fixed, what it cost, and what is...
After 836 episodes across seven shows and nearly a decade, I'm wrapping up the Microsoft Innovation Podcast. Here's what the numbers say, what the stats don't...
Six weeks ago a security audit told me I had 268 plaintext secrets scattered across my AI agent platform. This week I closed out the migration that fixed it. Here is...
A Speechify renewal email made me question every subscription my business pays for. Since January 2026, I have eliminated nearly $10,000 in annual SaaS costs by...
cb365 adds 28 new commands across four workloads with a governance framework inspired by real enterprise AI policy. Three workloads went smoothly. Loop exposed a gap...
Microsoft Planner's API enforces optimistic concurrency with ETags, requires Group membership for plan creation, and uses User IDs for assignments. Here's how I...
How I built 23 hardcoded safety rules into cb365, a Microsoft 365 CLI, to prevent data loss and unauthorised actions when AI agents interact with enterprise systems.
Taking cb365 from internal tool to public release meant solving the trust problem: signed binaries, Software Bill of Materials (SBOM), and a certificate...
Microsoft retired their Graph CLI. PowerShell is the official answer. But AI agents don't speak PowerShell. Here's why I built a new CLI from scratch, the trade-offs...
I designed a Microsoft 365 CLI for AI agents. Then I built it. The Graph API had opinions about my architecture. Here's the build log - the gotchas, the fixes, and...
AI agents have no internal clock. When they run on UTC servers but you're hours ahead, they get dates wrong. Here's a 4-layer fix that works end-to-end.
How I replaced static model assignments with an autonomous routing engine, shadow testing pipeline, and live dashboard for a 25-agent orchestration platform.
Build real AI skill with conversation, not one-shot queries. Use five prompts a day, custom instructions, and voice and vision to improve results.
Work is shifting from jobs to projects. Like filmmaking, teams assemble for a clear outcome, deliver, then disband.
Learn why digital fluency means applied skills, not borrowed knowledge. Build resilience with problem solving, security, and safe, ethical use of modern AI tools.
Build real AI skill, not hype. Learn practical habits for using AI as a thought partner, iterating prompts, adapting fast, and growing with the community. A clear...
AI is reshaping our workplaces and our lives at breathtaking speed. Yet, beneath this technological revolution lies a deep, often overlooked truth: while AI has the...
Discover how AI is transforming work and life. Learn practical strategies to master AI tools like ChatGPT, Copilot, and Claude, and explore AI's potential in health...
Mark Smith writes about Artificial Intelligence, Agents, Microsoft AI, and the Intelligence Age.
The following is a list of additional resources relating to my presentation “ Supercharge Your Power Platform Career: 10 Game-Changing Strategies ”
1. Getting Started with Freelancing (this post) 2. Rates, costing and allocations 3. Time Management and Project Allocation 4. Contracts, Legal Considerations, and...
A culture of innovation will separate organisations that thrive with AI from those that will struggle to stay relevant and profitable. Innovation challenges can...
Attending a conference can be a significant investment—both financially and in terms of your time. With the costs of tickets, transportation, accommodations, and the...
In the Power Platform and Dynamics 365 world, becoming an expert in requirements gathering is a game-changer. Whether you're a Business Analyst, Systems Architect...
As we stand on the brink of a new era where artificial intelligence reshapes every facet of our lives, the line between personal enhancement and professional growth...
In the fast-changing tech world, organisations need agile solutions to stay competitive. The Center for Enablement (C4E) is a crucial concept gaining prominence...
The journey from xRM to the Power Platform represents a significant transformation in how we build and manage enterprise applications. This evolution has brought...
How Do You Find the Time?A question that came up last week during my 90 Day Mentoring Challenge was: How do you find the time to upskill? It's vital to stay ahead of...
I spend a lot of time thinking about the careers my kids might have and what I can do to help them prepare for the opportunities that come their way. My eldest...
Feedback like this is so motivating. Thank you so much, Rachel Roberts, for sharing what you got out of the 90 Day Mentoring Challenge 🚀 It's fantastic to hear that...
In school, I was always last. I did not learn to read until I was 12, can not spell to save myself, never won an academic award, and never went to university. I...
I had a busy day researching and did not write my regular post for a Wednesday, so please try this on for size. One of my outputs for today is AI for business...
I will speak in Vegas later this year at the 2024 Power Platform Community Conference, and this is the title of my session.
In the rapidly evolving field of software sales, mainly when proposing Microsoft solutions, it's crucial to anchor our strategies in the solutions we offer and in...
George Doubinski, coined the concept of the Citizen Electrician, and I give him full credit for it.
In the digital age, data is the new currency, and how we manage, protect, and leverage it can determine the success or failure of organisations. But what if I told...
If it had not been for Mira Razman, I would not have come to this epic event from New Zealand.
Would you believe if I told you a single LinkedIn message could impact the lives of thousands of kids? Here’s how it went...
I am close to finishing reading this mind-blowing book, Superintelligence, by Nick Bostrom.
Last week, Alison Mulligan asked me to create a video on Radical Candor for the Power Platform School which meant I needed to revisit one of my favourite Business...
Imagine having all your email responses automatically drafted for you, placed in a DRAFTS folder, and ready for review. Dream or reality?
I am thrilled to share a snippet of a testimonial from our 90-day mentoring challenge, courtesy of Devendra Velegandla!
With cyber threats rising and data volumes exploding, Microsoft Power Platform is a game-changer for organisations everywhere.
The Power Platform is changing the game by making AI tools user-friendly for everyone, from IT pros to those without a tech background. It's not just about using new...
In the evolving landscape of Power Platform governance, two pivotal tools stand out: 👉 Managed Environments 👉 Center of Excellence (CoE) Starter Kit.
It's a continuous effort to protect our digital territories from sophisticated threats.
Rachel's journey with the 90-day mentoring challenge showcases the transformative power of mentorship in the tech space, especially for those navigating the...
Managed Environments for Power Platform streamline system administration, enhancing control, transparency, and governance for organisations using low-code solutions.
We're at a tipping point where artificial intelligence (AI) is a real game-changer across all sectors.
The rise of low-code/no-code platforms has been a game-changer, making app development accessible to everyone, not just the tech-savvy folks. 🧑🏻💻
Imagine managing your Power Platform assets at scale... without getting tangled in the endless manual adjustments. ⚡️That's precisely what Managed Environments...
Let's be honest. It can get complicated with all the data flying around everywhere.
Join our 90-Day Mentoring Challenge and take your career in Microsoft Business Applications to the next level.
This is a common question I get, whether it's associates, graduates coming through my program, or those who are experienced.
When steering your business through a digital transformation, deciding between a Centre for Enablement (C4E) and a Centre of Excellence (CoE) can feel like choosing...
AI can help automate routine tasks and streamline workflows in the legal industry, leading to increased efficiency and cost savings.
In our 90-Day Mentoring Program, we love seeing everyone's progress and celebrating success! Martin joined the program with the goal of becoming a solutions...
Have you got admin tasks coming out of your ears? Here’s ideas for AI to do the heavy lifting. 🦾🤖
Why change management can be your competitive advantage. It's about planning, coordinating, and implementing changes to minimise disruption and maximise benefits.
How does a Centre for Enablement (C4E) drive system and technology integration? It’s helpful for several reasons:
It's gratifying to hear from our community about the valuable insights they've gained from the 90-Day Mentoring Challenge. "It's a wonderful opportunity, and I'd...
Ever come across it? 🤔 It's this brilliant framework introduced by the British Design Council in 2005, revolving around four key phases:
The Centre for Enablement (C4E) isn't one size fits all. It's a highly tailored approach designed to meet each organisation's unique needs and objectives.
If your mentor works for your employer, they're not working for you. They're probably helping you set goals and take development opportunities that align with the...
If you've had a look at the 90-Day Mentoring Challenge, maybe you wondered why I use the subdomain "ako.nz365guy" 🤔 My wife, Meg Smith (Ngāpuhi, Tainui), suggested...
This is for you. Enrolments for the next 90-Day Mentoring Challenge cohort are open now ⏰ Discovering the MSCRM product in 2003 changed the course of my life. My...
It's about a young boy who embarks on a mission to help three individuals in ways they could not help themselves, sparking a chain reaction of goodwill. It's a real...
The second rule of Fight Club is: you DO NOT talk about Fight Club! For years, the MVP program was shrouded in secrecy, much like Fight Club. But now, it's time to...
Implementing a Centre for Enablement (C4E) strategy offers a streamlined path to break down silos and enhance collaboration.
Unlocking the full potential of AI tools can transform how consultants prepare for client engagements across new industries.
“It was an awesome learning experience over 3 months. Wish I had taken this earlier.” - Sriram Balaji
Great consultants can empathise with the people for whom they are building solutions. Empathy is vital to understanding the people we engage with when we build...
1\. IT is complaining about supporting too many undocumented “citizen” apps that have become mainstream. 2\. You are getting feedback that your apps are ugly and not...
Forget crystal balls, I’m talking about real, science-backed predictions for your business.
Challenge was born out of a simple truth: traditional corporate mentoring often prioritises the company's goals over an individual’s growth.......my aim is to change...
Why is Design Thinking important? It's all about taking a human-centred approach, understanding, and empathising with, the people who will use the technology we...
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