The University of Oxford is leveraging Microsoft Copilot to turbocharge its digital transformation and to "future-proof" its education technology services.
Despite being one of the world's oldest and most storied universities, Oxford stresses its intention to remain at the cutting edge of tech by integrating Gen AI across its operations, from research and teaching to administration.
One of the first groups to embrace AI adoption is the university’s IT Services department, comprising over 400 members. This department has begun using Copilot as part of a broader pilot programme across the institution.
Stuart Lee, University of Oxford's Acting CIO, commented:
We actually went to Microsoft’s headquarters in Redmond. What inspired us about Copilot was its potential benefits in the office of the now as well as in the office of the future. We came away thinking this is something we really need to start investing in."
Oxford University's IT team initially purchased licenses for most of its 400+ staff members to assess the impact across an entire department.
When first trialling Copilot, Lee says the department encountered a blend of curiosity and apprehension. While many staff members were eager to explore the tool, others were uncertain how AI could fit into their workflows. Onboarding meetings with Microsoft, briefing sessions, and regular engagement through Microsoft Teams empowered staff to experiment with Copilot in their daily tasks. As a result, Lee emphasises that confidence and enthusiasm grew across the department.
To support adoption, the team also established an internal community of practice where colleagues could share tips, ask questions, and participate in a weekly "prompt of the week" competition. Regular drop-in help clinics provided staff with guidance on tackling specific challenges.
An "acceleration team" was also formed to explore integrating Copilot with other applications and maximising its potential through Copilot Studio. Senior-level support played a key role, with regular comms from the Head of Department encouraging engagement and use.
In December 2024, the IT Services department ran a week-long survey, asking all license holders to track their use of Copilot and estimate time saved across various activities, such as summarising documents, creating content, supporting meetings, and managing tasks.
