Microsoft Ignite, the tech titan’s premier event for major announcements, commences next week. Taking place in San Francisco on November 18–21, thousands will also eagerly watch the show online. Microsoft Teams Show Panelist Amanda Sterner of Expertat explains how she’ll “enjoy Ignite from the comfort of my home, even though I will miss the in-person atmosphere.” Many no doubt appreciate this feature amid US flight delays and cancellations stemming from a government shutdown.
Moving beyond logistics, the conference promises to be a significant event. Coming off dramatic spending goals, Microsoft needs to demonstrate to investors that this expenditure is delivering strong AI products businesses actually want to use. But what do professionals across the Microsoft ecosystem expect from this year’s event?
The AI-first Momentum
Every major voice in the Microsoft ecosystem expects Generative AI and Copilot innovation to headline Ignite 2025. However, Sterner says the opening keynote will be important to gauge “the general vibe of the direction Microsoft is going toward,” although she anticipates “it won’t come as a shock when it’s all about AI and Copilot.” She’s particularly enthusiastic about sessions promising “lots of live demos and real-world examples of the latest innovations within Microsoft 365 Copilot,” emphasizing how these capabilities will integrate into everyday work.
For Carly Moree, Microsoft Client Success Manager at Myriad360, the conference represents more than just product launches—it’s critical for ecosystem alignment. The event provides an opportunity “to strengthen relationships across the Microsoft ecosystem, deepen collaboration with Microsoft and strategic partners, and align around the company’s evolving priorities,” she explains. In her view, AI, intelligent agents, and Copilot aren’t just features but the foundation of Microsoft’s entire platform strategy moving forward.
The developer community shares this anticipation, though with some reservations about whether Microsoft will deliver truly transformative capabilities. Rory Bokser, Head of Product at Moken.io, is looking for evidence of “a more developer-native AI workflow at a fundamental level.” While current tools like GitHub Copilot help with routine tasks, he wants to see AI agents capable of far more complex operations—scaffolding APIs, writing comprehensive tests, and debugging edge cases autonomously. “Show me something even remotely close to that in their demos and you are getting 15 hours per sprint gains across every developer sprint,” he says, underscoring just how substantial the productivity implications could be if Microsoft delivers on this vision.
Adding another layer, Zach Bennett, Microsoft Teams MVP and Principal Architect at LoopUp, underscores the importance of AI’s evolution from hype to practical enterprise-grade utility: “As Microsoft Ignite draws closer, I’m looking forward to engaging with the community, hearing directly from product teams, and gaining early insights into the roadmap for Microsoft Teams and the broader Microsoft 365 ecosystem. These conversations are a valuable way to understand how others in the industry are approaching the evolving AI landscape and what’s resonating with their customers.”
Security in the Age of Intelligent Agents
As AI capabilities expand, security concerns have risen in lockstep, with industry professionals increasingly viewing the two as inseparable challenges. Moree frames this relationship bluntly: “technology and trust must evolve together.” She expects Ignite to showcase what she describes as “the convergence of AI and cybersecurity—where agent governance, identity-based protection, and the operationalization of Copilot within security workflows redefine what modern defense looks like.” This isn’t about bolting security onto AI as an afterthought—it’s about treating security as fundamental infrastructure that enables AI deployment in the first place.
The multifaceted nature of these security requirements extends across multiple domains. Randy De Meno, VP, Business Development & Microsoft Practice, CrashPlan, is particularly interested in learning about “what new requirements [customers] have for achieving cyber-resiliency, data protection, E-Discovery/Search and anomaly detection.” His focus reflects the mounting pressure on Microsoft and its partner ecosystem to deliver systems that address stringent compliance, privacy, and resilience standards that enterprise customers need to confidently use AI. Without these assurances, adoption stalls regardless of how impressive the AI capabilities might be.
For organizations managing hybrid work environments, these security considerations take on added urgency. Amol Dalvi, VP of Product at Nerdio, notes that “conversations around endpoint management, identity, and AI-driven productivity (like Copilot) are picking up speed.” The challenge his customers face isn’t just enabling remote access—it’s “making [hybrid work] secure, seamless, and smart with automation and AI baked in.” Security capabilities must be embedded from the ground up rather than layered on afterward, which requires a fundamentally different approach to product design.
As Copilot becomes more deeply embedded across Microsoft’s platform, questions around protecting sensitive data and maintaining proper identity controls become increasingly central to how organizations evaluate and deploy these AI capabilities.
Integration, Simplification, and ROI
The measure of success extends beyond feature announcements to real-world implementation. Dalvi emphasizes that IT leaders are “looking for more than another bolt-on AI chatbot. They’re looking for AI that actually makes parts of their jobs easier.” This reflects a broader shift in how organizations evaluate AI investments, as the focus has shifted from technical capabilities to tangible operational improvements.
Microsoft’s partner ecosystem will play a crucial role in translating platform capabilities into practical solutions. As Dalvi observes, “customers will increasingly lean on Microsoft partners who not only understand Microsoft’s roadmap but can help them extend and enhance it without adding friction.” The emphasis on partnership reflects a recognition that even the most sophisticated platform requires skilled implementation to deliver value in specific business contexts.
De Meno echoes this practical orientation, noting his interest in seeing “what vendors are using AI to improve accurate information queries as opposed to simply making their products easier to use.” For buyers and partners alike, the real test is whether new capabilities solve genuine business problems rather than simply adding technological sophistication.
Looking Ahead: UC Today’s Coverage
As Microsoft Ignite 2025 kicks off in San Francisco and online, all eyes will be on how AI, security, and integration come together to reshape enterprise technology and collaboration. If the comments ahead of the events are anything to go by, attendees won’t just track announcements; they will be looking for outcomes.
UC Today will be doing rolling coverage of the conference, delivering updates, interviews, and analysis of the announcements. To stay up to date with all the latest Microsoft Ignite news, stay tuned to our website and LinkedIn.
