MPPC PPCC (did you catch the name change?) is officially in full swing!

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The 3rd annual Microsoft Power Platform Conference kicked off in style here in the beautiful Las Vegas, NV. Charles Lamanna opened the event with a keynote that electrified the room, emphasizing the community-centric and AI-driven future of the Power Platform. Lamanna boldly proclaimed that the future of the Power Platform is all about shared experiences—it’s going to thrive through community, connections, and creativity. With Copilot and AI supercharging the platform, there’s never been a more exciting time to be a part of this ecosystem.

Before diving into the cutting-edge features related to Power Platform and Copilot, let’s take a moment to reflect on some standout highlights and statistics from this keynote:

• Every 6 minutes, a question is answered on community forums, with 5.8 million active users monthly across these forums.
• An astounding 48 million people use Power Platform each month. To put that into perspective, that’s more than the number of people who visit Las Vegas in an entire year!

Hearing these statistics was a real shock for me. Four years ago, when I began my Power Platform journey, I didn’t even know what it was. Over the years, I’ve learned so much from the Power Platform community—through forums, conferences, and LinkedIn connections. It’s truly heartwarming to witness how large and powerful this community has become, and I’m grateful to be able to give back to something that has given so much to me.

The message from the keynote was clear: the Power Platform is evolving rapidly, and it’s evolving alongside the community. It’s a platform designed to build innovative and robust solutions, whether you’re a citizen developer working with low-code tools, a business user working with no-code options, or a professional developer pushing the boundaries of what’s possible. There’s a place for everyone here.

Now, let’s get into the fun stuff.

We all know the Power Platform is breaking new ground technologically, but what about the future? What happens when AI collides with this powerful technology? Enter Copilot. It’s been the talk of the town for quite some time now. With over 480,000 organizations already adopting Copilot, some are still hesitant. If you’re in that camp, it might be worth revisiting my recap from last year’s Power Platform Community Conference Keynote. AI is here, and it’s here to stay. Copilot, in particular, isn’t here to take your job, steal your data, or impose risks. It’s here to assist, boost productivity, and inspire creativity. In the next section, I’ll dive into how Copilot is making Power Platform even more powerful.

Part 2: Power Automate + Copilot (Presented by Derah Onuorah)

Key Announcements:

• Generative Actions (Early Access Preview)
• Describe/Record with Copilot (Public Preview)
• 2x Actions Panes in Designer (Generally Available)
• Copilot Studio (Generally Available)

As someone who primarily focuses on Power BI and Business Central, I’ve found immense business value in Power Automate. Copilot makes it easier than ever to create flows, even for those (like me) who don’t naturally think in step-by-step processes. In fact, 30% of Power Automate users are already leveraging Copilot to drive innovation.

One of the most exciting announcements was Generative Actions. This feature allows you to describe the content and context of a flow using natural language, and Copilot will dynamically generate the steps needed to execute that flow. It’s a time-saver and a great educational tool for those needing to refresh their Power Automate skills, like myself!

The integration of Copilot in RPA (Robotic Process Automation) also caught my attention. In businesses relying on legacy data or on-prem systems, RPA remains crucial. With “Record with Copilot,” users can essentially show and tell on their screens, and Copilot will generate the necessary steps to create the flow. It’s a game-changer for increasing efficiency and reducing human error.

Part 3: Copilot Studio (Presented by Lydia Williams)

Key Announcements:

• Create Copilot Agents with M365 Copilot (Public Preview)

Copilot Studio is now generally available and offers a new way to expand on the capabilities of Copilot. It allows users to create autonomous Copilot agents, which can handle tasks behind the scenes based on your specific guidance. These agents self-assemble, follow logical workflows, and can help prevent human error by operating independently while providing explanations and training tips when needed.

The example shared during the keynote demonstrated how a project requirements agent could analyze an incoming email, verify engagement details, and assign tasks—streamlining the entire process. This feature promises to revolutionize how businesses manage processes, saving both time and resources.

Part 4: Power Apps + Copilot (Presented by Ryan Cunningham)

Key Announcements:

• Plan Designer
• Coauthoring in Canvas Apps (Generally Available)

In the next four years, it’s estimated that over 1 billion apps will be created—and many of those will ride the low-code, no-code, and pro-code wave. As someone who loves Canvas Apps for its UI/UX flexibility, I’m particularly excited about the integration of Copilot. The newly announced Plan Designer allows users to draft out living documents, building Canvas Apps, Model-Driven Apps, and Flows that support end-to-end solutions.

With Coauthoring in Canvas Apps now generally available, teams can collaborate in real time on app development, just like in other Microsoft Office tools. This is a huge step forward for fusion development teams who can now work together more seamlessly.

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Final Thoughts

This year’s keynote was a fantastic showcase of how the Power Platform is evolving, especially with the integration of AI through Copilot. The advancements are not just incremental—they’re transformative. Copilot is not only making complex processes more accessible but also unlocking new levels of creativity and innovation across the Power Platform. From Power Automate to Power Apps, Copilot is reshaping how we approach automation, app development, and collaboration.

What stood out to me the most was the overarching theme of empowerment—whether you’re a citizen developer, a business user, or a pro, there’s a place for you on this platform. Microsoft is clearly committed to fostering a community-driven ecosystem, and that’s what makes the Power Platform so special. It’s more than just a toolset; it’s a thriving, dynamic community that’s constantly pushing the envelope of what’s possible.

With Copilot becoming more embedded into our everyday tools and workflows, we are entering a new era of productivity. The future of the Power Platform is bright, and I, for one, am excited to see how these innovations will continue to shape the way we work, collaborate, and create in the AI era. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or just getting started, now is the time to dive into the Power Platform and see how it can transform your business and your career.

Stay tuned – as I will also be recapping the other two Keynotes that happened on day 1!