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FULL SHOW NOTES
https://www.microsoftinnovationpodcast.com/690

What does it take to rise from limited access to tech resources to becoming a globally recognized Microsoft MVP? In this episode, Pascal Burume shares his remarkable journey from the Democratic Republic of Congo to the global tech stage. With grit, community leadership, and a passion for Microsoft technologies, Pascal reveals how he overcame language barriers, built impactful solutions with Power Platform, and inspired a new generation of tech professionals. If you're looking for a roadmap to grow your skills and make a difference—no matter where you start—this episode is for you.

KEY TAKEAWAYS
Persistence Pays Off: Pascal failed multiple times before becoming a Microsoft Student Ambassador—but each setback sharpened his strategy and resilience.
Power Platform in Action: He used Power Apps and Power BI to build real-world solutions that improved decision-making at the UNDP.
Community as a Catalyst: Building and leading tech communities helped Pascal grow his skills, visibility, and impact.
Learning Without Limits: Despite infrastructure challenges, Pascal leveraged blogs, Microsoft Learn, and open-source tools to stay ahead.
From Local to Global: His story proves that with the right mindset and tools, you can build a global tech career from anywhere.

RESOURCES MENTIONED
👉 Microsoft Learn Student Ambassadors: https://studentambassadors.microsoft.com
👉 Microsoft Learn: https://learn.microsoft.com
👉 Power Platform: https://powerplatform.microsoft.com

OTHER RESOURCES
👉 Microsoft MVP YouTube Series - How to Become a Microsoft MVP - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLzf0yupPbVkqdRJDPVE4PtTlm6quDhiu7

This year we're adding a new show to our line up - The AI Advantage. We'll discuss the skills you need to thrive in an AI-enabled world.

DynamicsMinds is a world-class event in Slovenia that brings together Microsoft product managers, industry leaders, and dedicated users to explore the latest in Microsoft Dynamics 365, the Power Platform, and Copilot.

Early bird tickets are on sale now and listeners of the Microsoft Innovation Podcast get 10% off with the code MIPVIP144bff
https://www.dynamicsminds.com/register/?voucher=MIPVIP144bff

Accelerate your Microsoft career with the 90 Day Mentoring Challenge

We’ve helped 1,300+ people across 70+ countries establish successful careers in the Microsoft Power Platform and Dynamics 365 ecosystem.

Benefit from expert guidance, a supportive community, and a clear career roadmap. A lot can change in 90 days, get started today!

Support the show

If you want to get in touch with me, you can message me here on Linkedin.

Thanks for listening 🚀 - Mark Smith

Get featured on the show by leaving us a Voice Mail: https://bit.ly/MIPVM

FULL SHOW NOTES
https://www.microsoftinnovationpodcast.com/689

In a world where AI is reshaping how we build, lead, and learn, standing still is no longer an option. In this episode, the Ecosystem Show team dives into the evolving role of Microsoft partners, the rise of “vibe coding,” and the critical mindsets needed to thrive in tech’s next chapter. Whether you're navigating AI adoption, rethinking your Power Platform strategy, or simply trying to stay relevant in a fast-changing landscape, this conversation offers clarity, challenge, and a roadmap forward.

KEY TAKEAWAYS
AI demands new mental models: Success in the AI era requires critical thinking, constant learning, and a willingness to challenge assumptions—even those served up by machines.
Power Platform is evolving fast: It’s no longer just low-code—it’s becoming the enterprise-grade “vibe coding” platform, integrating seamlessly with advanced tools and governance systems.
Trustworthy AI is non-negotiable: Leaders must embed safety, transparency, and validation into every AI practice. Microsoft’s internal frameworks offer a strong starting point.
The partner landscape is shifting: The best Microsoft partners are transforming their culture, offerings, and delivery models to meet the demands of AI-native enterprises.
Your career is your responsibility: In a time of layoffs and disruption, professionals must take ownership of their growth by developing adaptive, future-focused mindsets.

RESOURCES MENTIONED
👉 Dynamics Minds Conference – https://dynamicsminds.com
👉 Forrester Wave Report – https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/power-platform/blog/power-apps/microsoft-is-a-leader-in-2025-forrester-wave-low-code-platforms-for-professional-developers/
👉 Microsoft's Trustworthy AI Framework – https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/ai-foundry/responsible-use-of-ai-overview

This year we're adding a new show to our line up - The AI Advantage. We'll discuss the skills you need to thrive in an AI-enabled world.

DynamicsMinds is a world-class event in Slovenia that brings together Microsoft product managers, industry leaders, and dedicated users to explore the latest in Microsoft Dynamics 365, the Power Platform, and Copilot.

Early bird tickets are on sale now and listeners of the Microsoft Innovation Podcast get 10% off with the code MIPVIP144bff
https://www.dynamicsminds.com/register/?voucher=MIPVIP144bff

Accelerate your Microsoft career with the 90 Day Mentoring Challenge

We’ve helped 1,300+ people across 70+ countries establish successful careers in the Microsoft Power Platform and Dynamics 365 ecosystem.

Benefit from expert guidance, a supportive community, and a clear career roadmap. A lot can change in 90 days, get started today!

Support the show

If you want to get in touch with me, you can message me here on Linkedin.

Thanks for listening 🚀 - Mark Smith

Get featured on the show by leaving us a Voice Mail: https://bit.ly/MIPVM

FULL SHOW NOTES
https://www.microsoftinnovationpodcast.com/688

What happens when AI stops being a tool and starts becoming a teammate? In this episode, Ashish Bhatia, Principal Product Manager at Microsoft, unpacks the shift from traditional automation to intelligent agents—and what it means for the future of work. From the myth of “autonomous agents” to the real-world challenges of memory, trust, and productivity, this conversation dives deep into the evolving landscape of AI. Whether you're building with Copilot or planning your next AI strategy, this episode will sharpen your perspective on where the tech is headed—and what’s still missing.

KEY TAKEAWAYS
Agentification is the next evolution of apps: We're moving from reactive chatbots to proactive assistants that can take meaningful action—but we’re still early in that journey.
Memory is the missing link: Long-term context retention is essential for agents to become truly useful. Expect major strides in this area by 2025.
Autonomous agents are still a myth: Most current “agents” are glorified automations. True autonomy requires reasoning, adaptability, and trust.
Model selection will soon be invisible: Expect model routing to become standard, optimizing for cost and performance without user intervention.
AI isn’t saving time—yet: While AI boosts output quality, it still requires human oversight. The next leap is reducing the need for constant review.

RESOURCES MENTIONED
👉 AI Podcasts
The Wes Roth Podcast – https://www.youtube.com/@WesRoth
AI Explained – https://aiexplainedopodcast.buzzsprout.com/2418777
Training Data – https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLOhHNjZItNnMm5tdW61JpnyxeYH5NDDx8

👉 Tools & Concepts:
Copilot Studio – https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-copilot-studio/fundamentals-what-is-copilot-studio
Operator Model – https://openai.com/index/introducing-operator/

👉 Ashish Bhatia's GitHub: https://github.com/ashbhati

This year we're adding a new show to our line up - The AI Advantage. We'll discuss the skills you need to thrive in an AI-enabled world.

DynamicsMinds is a world-class event in Slovenia that brings together Microsoft product managers, industry leaders, and dedicated users to explore the latest in Microsoft Dynamics 365, the Power Platform, and Copilot.

Early bird tickets are on sale now and listeners of the Microsoft Innovation Podcast get 10% off with the code MIPVIP144bff
https://www.dynamicsminds.com/register/?voucher=MIPVIP144bff

Accelerate your Microsoft career with the 90 Day Mentoring Challenge

We’ve helped 1,300+ people across 70+ countries establish successful careers in the Microsoft Power Platform and Dynamics 365 ecosystem.

Benefit from expert guidance, a supportive community, and a clear career roadmap. A lot can change in 90 days, get started today!

Support the show

If you want to get in touch with me, you can message me here on Linkedin.

Thanks for listening 🚀 - Mark Smith