Knowledge Fika 2.0: Knowledge in M365 with Copilot and Content AI

About the episode:
What happens when organisations move beyondCopilot and start managing an entire workforce of AI agents?
In this episode, Rebecka sits down with Microsoft Regional Director and dual Microsoft MVP Maarten Eekels to discuss AIadoption, governance, knowledge management, and why successful AI initiatives depend as much on content quality as technology.
A key focus is Agent 365 and the emerging challenge of governing AI agents at scale. As organisations deploy moreautonomous AI capabilities, how do you maintain visibility, control, and trust?
The conversation also explores responsible AI, why Copilot should complement rather than replace search, and how AI often amplifies the strengths and weaknesses already present in your organisation.
Maarten also shares insights from his role on the ESPC content selection core team, helping shape ESPC 2026, taking place in Amsterdam from 30 November to 3 December at the RAI Amsterdam.
Planning to attend ESPC 2026? Early Bird registration is now open: https://espc.tech/conference/espc-2026/tickets/
About Maarten:
Maarten Eekels is a Microsoft Regional Director, double Microsoft MVP (Microsoft Foundry and Microsoft 365 Copilot),international speaker, community leader, and advocate for responsible AI.
Based in the Netherlands, he has helped organisations implement Microsoft technologies since 2003, with a strong focus on AI, Microsoft 365, Copilot, governance, and the human side of technology adoption.
Alongside his work in technology, Maarten coachesstart-ups and advises founders and business leaders on innovation, growth, and leadership. He is a familiar face at conferences and community events worldwide, known for making complex technology topics accessible, practical,and thought-provoking.
Maarten is also the creator of one of the most respected blogs in the Microsoft community, where he writes about Microsoft Copilot, Microsoft 365, governance, security, and ethical AI: https://www.eekels.net/
Away from technology, Maarten is a certified sommelier and enthusiastic wine lover. His passion for wine has inspired a separate project and web shop dedicated to wine-themed products and accessories: https://becauseilovewine.com/
And, in addition to being a wine geek (like me), he's a big Depeche Mode fan and coffee lover. Two more things we have in common! 😉
Whether discussing AI governance, Microsoft Copilot, leadership, or the perfect bottle of wine, Maarten brings curiosity, expertise, and a refreshingly human perspective to every conversation.

About this episode:
In this episode of Knowledge Fika, Rebecka Isaksson chats with Mike McLean about the future of Microsoft Viva Engage and how AI is transforming workplace communities. From smarter notifications and community management to Copilot, and the brand new Community Agent (!!!), Mike shares how Microsoft is helping organizations cut through the noise while keeping people connected.
They also explore dynamic community experiences, governance at scale, and why, despite all the shiny new tech, real human connections still matter most.

About Mike McLean:
Mike is a Principal Group Product Manager at Microsoft who's spent more than two decades building products used by millions around the world. His fingerprints are all over everything from Microsoft Teams and Viva to SharePoint, Planner, Power BI, and Microsoft 365 Groups.
These days, Mike is focused on making workplace communities smarter, more engaging, and a whole lot easier to navigate with AI. Equal parts product nerd and people champion, he's passionate about building technology that helps work feel a little more connected and a lot more human.
... And he happens to be a big fan of Swedish Fika - and the delightful "vacuum cleaner" cookie!

About this episode:
What does it take to become an AI-native organization?
In this episode of Knowledge Fika, I sit down with Regional Director and Microsoft MVP Vesa “Vesku” Nopanen, to discuss AI transformation beyond the technology. We explore what organizations are learning from Microsoft 365 Copilot adoption, why culture and change management matter as much as the tools themselves, and how to approach AI governance, cost management, and experimentation in a rapidly evolving landscape.
We also explore how different AI models can produce very different results—and costs—for the same task, making model selection an important consideration for organizations adopting Copilot. Vesku shares practical lessons from testing multiple models, understanding when to use which tool, and balancing value, performance, and consumption costs.
We also dive into the productivity paradox, lessons from SulavaMEA’s own AI journey, and practical advice for leaders looking to turn AI ambition into business value.

About Vesku:
Vesa "Vesku" Nopanen is a Microsoft Regional Director, Microsoft MVP in AI and Microsoft 365, and Principal Consultant for AI-Native Future Work at Sulava MEA. With nearly 30 years in enterprise IT, he helps organizations adopt AI, Copilot, and intelligent agents to create more effective ways of working.
A frequent speaker, blogger, and community leader, Vesku is known for turning emerging technologies into practical business outcomes. He is also one of the people behind the AI-Native Workplace Summit 2026, a free online event exploring how organizations can thrive in the age of AI.
Through his writing, speaking, and community work, he shares practical insights on AI adoption, governance, organizational change, and how people and AI can work better together.

Why prompts, psychology and sycophancy matter.
About this episode:
What happens when one of the world's leading technology writers turns his attention to AI?
In this episode, I sit down with journalist, author and broadcaster Jamie Bartlett to discuss his latest book, How to Talk to AI (And How Not To). We explore why the way we talk to AI matters, how prompting is as much about mindset as technique, and why understanding AI has become an essential skill.
Along the way, we unpack AI safety, governance and the concept of sycophancy—AI's tendency to tell us what we want to hear rather than what we need to hear.
Whether you're already using tools like ChatGPT and Copilot or simply trying to make sense of the rapid pace of change, this conversation offers a thoughtful and refreshinglybalanced perspective on AI and its growing role in our lives and work.
About Jamie Bartlett:
Jamie is a journalist, author, broadcaster and one of the UK's leading writers on technology and society. He is the bestselling author of The Dark Net, Radicals, The People vs Tech and his latest book, How to Talk to AI (And HowNot To), which explores how AI is changing the way we think, work and create.
Jamie is also the creator and host of several acclaimed BBC and The Observer podcasts, including The Missing Cryptoqueen, the fascinating investigation into the OneCoin fraud, and End Game: Can We Leave with Artificial General Intelligence?.
Throughout his work, he examines the complex relationship between technology, power, democracy and human behaviour, helping audiences make sense of an increasingly digital world.
He is also teaching a masterclass, based on his latest book, How To Talk To AI, that will be delivered in London on September 24 and October 22, 2026.

About this episode
What does it take to build a knowledge team ready for an AI-driven future?
In this episode of Knowledge Fika, Rebecka Isaksson speaks with Charlene King from The Open University about Knowledge Management, AI, governance, and organisational change.
Together they explore how to balance innovation with responsible AI adoption, build the right skills, and culture, and demonstrate the value of modern knowledge practices.
The conversation highlights why successful AI transformation is ultimately a people and knowledge challenge, not just a technology challenge.
A practical discussion for KM practitioners, change leaders, and organisations preparing for an AI-enabled future.

About Charlene King
Charlene (or Charlie) is Associate Director of Knowledge & Information Management (KIM) at The Open University, the UK's largest university, and a global leader in distance learning. She is leading the development of the university's first formal KIM function while helping shape its approach to governance, knowledge sharing, and responsible AI adoption.
Her background spans library services, metadata, accessibility, digital transformation, and AI-enabled information discovery.
When launching the new KIM team, Charlene took a refreshingly human approach, using Peppa Pig as an unexpected conversation starter to capture attention, spark engagement, and open discussions about people's concrete knowledge and information challenges. The resulting conversations and staff feedback helped shape both the team's charter and its first 100-day strategy.
Outside work, Charlene is a history enthusiast with a particular interest in the people, places, and events of WWII. She also enjoys exploring historic sites, baking Victorian sponge cakes, boxing, and practising Muay Thai (!!).
Additional Resources
• Open University Official Website
• Jamie Bartlett - How to Talk to AI and How Not To
• CollabDays Bletchley Park
• Bletchley Park - Historic Site