Martin Ilesanmi discusses innovation, leadership after winning 2022 Art of Technology Award

After receiving the prestigious 2022 Art of Technology Award for his groundbreaking work at Microsoft, Martin Ilesanmi took time to speak to the media after the event’s red carpet. His award, which celebrated his leadership in product management and his role in developing Microsoft Copilot, highlighted a night filled with technological excellence and forward-thinking innovation.

In this exclusive interview, Martin spoke candidly about his journey, the process behind developing Microsoft Copilot, and his vision for the future of digital productivity. The following are some key insights he shared during our conversation.

Congratulations on your award! How does it feel to be recognized at such a prominent event?

Thank you! It’s an incredible honor. To be recognized by the Art of Technology Awards, especially among so many talented innovators, is truly humbling. But I have to say, this award is not just mine—it belongs to the entire team at Microsoft that worked tirelessly to bring Copilot to life. Without them, none of this would have been possible.

Microsoft Copilot will be a game-changer for digital productivity. Can you tell us more about the vision behind the product?

The vision for Copilot really started with the idea of making technology work for people in a more intuitive way. We wanted to create a tool that could help users be more productive by integrating AI in a way that feels natural, not intrusive. Copilot assists with everything from document creation to data analysis, helping users complete tasks faster while allowing them to focus on more strategic, creative work. We wanted it to be a tool that everyone—whether a professional, a student, or even someone new to the software—could benefit from.

What are some of the biggest challenges you faced during the development of Copilot?

One of the major challenges was ensuring that Copilot could work seamlessly across multiple Microsoft applications. Each product—whether it’s Word, Excel, or Teams—has its own unique user interactions and workflows. Our task was to create a consistent experience for users while also allowing Copilot to adapt to the specific needs of each tool. The integration of AI into such a wide range of applications required a lot of collaboration, innovation, and testing to get it right.

What do you think sets Copilot apart from other productivity tools in the market?

I think it’s the blend of simplicity and power. While AI is at the core of Copilot, it doesn’t overwhelm users with complicated features. Instead, it works quietly in the background, offering assistance when needed. The ability to provide real-time suggestions and insights—whether it’s summarizing a document, generating data insights, or helping with communication—is what makes it so impactful. It’s about improving productivity without disrupting the user’s flow of work.

As a leader in the tech industry, how do you stay ahead of trends and maintain a vision for future innovations?

For me, it’s about listening—listening to users, to trends, and to the amazing teams I have the privilege to work with. The tech industry moves fast, and no one can predict everything that’s coming, but staying close to the needs of users and encouraging creativity within teams keeps us ahead. At the end of the day, innovation is about solving real problems, and if you stay focused on that, you’re always moving forward.

What’s next for you and your team and what new projects are on the horizon?

Absolutely! While I can’t go into too much detail just yet, I can say that we’re continuing to look at how AI can enhance productivity in new and exciting ways. The launch of Copilot was just the beginning—there’s so much potential, and we’re already working on ways to make it even more dynamic and accessible to users across different industries.