Drop Cortana an email and have her schedule meetings? See your personal productivity analytics visualized and get customized suggestions on how to work faster and smarter? Data patterns automatically highlighted to make it easier to explore, analyze and visualize? A designer in PowerPoint giving you suggestions on how to best arrange photos? Your own personal resume assistant providing ideal terminology and a direct connection to LinkedIn?

All of that is here – and more.

Microsoft Office and other productivity applications are increasingly adding machine learning and artificial intelligence features to automate and personalize repetitive tasks, like replying to email or scheduling meetings. More broadly, AI-fueled office software are helping users collaborate on projects across different platforms, increase efficiency, and glean insights for making better business decisions. 

For this discussion post you will explore this territory and its ramifications.

Your post should address these three prompts:

1. In your own words, define AI and Machine Learning.

2. Describe in detail at least two examples of how AI has been integrated into Office applications that you feel are either an incredible innovation or a terrible idea. Tell us why for each of these features.

3. Discuss what AI integration in applications means for you as a user in terms of productivity, privacy, and security.