Hello, AI Enthusiasts.
Midweek AI Watch—Sales, Law & Tax in Focus!
Microsoft is rolling out "AI Accelerator for Sales" and two AI-powered sales agents, aiming to revolutionize how businesses close deals. Could AI become a salesperson’s new best friend?
Meanwhile, Ontario’s legal bodies are refining AI governance with a fresh report on the Human Rights Impact Assessment (HRIA) framework.
And in finance, recent report from Thomson Reuters shows AI is rapidly transforming tax and accounting—79% of tax professionals say big changes are coming within five years.
Wednesday’s done—AI’s just warming up...
Here's another crazy day in AI:
Microsoft introduces AI tools for sales teams
Ontario Law Commission updates AI human rights guidelines
Thomson Reuters' recent report shows AI is transforming tax work
Some AI tools to try out
TODAY'S FEATURED ITEM: Boosting Sales with AI-Powered Agents
Image Credit: Wowza (created with Ideogram)
What if your sales team could close more deals without working longer hours or leaving any potential customer behind?
Sales teams often spend more time on administrative tasks than actual selling. Microsoft is introducing new AI-driven tools to help sales teams work smarter and close more deals. Announced by Bryan Goode, Corporate VP for Business Applications and Platform at Microsoft, the Microsoft AI Accelerator for Sales is a new program designed to help businesses transition from outdated CRM systems and adopt AI-powered sales solutions. At the same time, Jared Spataro, Microsoft’s Chief Marketing Officer for AI at Work, unveiled two new sales agents—Sales Agent and Sales Chat—designed to automate key sales tasks and accelerate deal-making.
How these AI tools can improve sales performance:
AI Accelerator for Sales – Launching on April 1, this program helps companies move beyond traditional CRM systems and integrate AI into their sales processes.
Prebuilt agents for faster implementation – Includes tools like the Sales Research Agent in Microsoft Dynamics 365 Sales, which conducts deep research to support strategic decision-making.
Sales Agent – An AI-powered assistant that automates routine sales tasks like gathering lead information, scheduling meetings, and following up with prospects.
Sales Chat – A tool that pulls data from CRM systems, emails, and documents to provide real-time insights and personalized recommendations.
Early adoption – Companies such as Lenovo and Lexmark are already leveraging these tools to streamline their sales operations and shorten deal cycles.
Industry shift – Microsoft reports that nearly 70% of Fortune 500 companies are using its AI solutions, with thousands of custom sales agents created through Copilot Studio.
By automating time-consuming tasks, these AI tools allow sales professionals to focus on what matters most—building relationships and closing deals. Instead of manually tracking leads, updating records, or following up on emails, sales teams can rely on AI to handle the details while they concentrate on high-value interactions.
For businesses, the potential benefits go beyond just saving time. AI-powered insights can help sales teams identify the most promising leads, personalize outreach, and respond to customers faster. However, successful adoption will depend on how well these tools are integrated into existing workflows and whether sales teams are equipped with the right training to make the most of them. As companies explore these AI solutions, the goal will be to enhance sales effectiveness without adding complexity—making selling smarter, not harder.
Read more on AI Accelerator for Sales here.
Read more on Sales Agents and Sales Chat here.
OTHER INTERESTING AI HIGHLIGHTS:
Ontario Law Commission Updates AI Human Rights Guidelines
/James Brierley, U. Ottawa Faculty of Law, CA on JURISTnews
The Law Commission of Ontario (LSO) and the Ontario Human Rights Commission (OHRC) have released a new background report on the Human Rights Impact Assessment (HRIA) framework for AI development. Building on their 2024 HRIA initiative, the report offers further guidance on implementing self-reported HRIAs to prevent bias and discrimination in AI systems. While not yet legally required, these assessments align with Canada’s evolving AI regulations, including the Enhancing Digital Security and Trust Act and the proposed Artificial Intelligence and Data Act. The report underscores global concerns about AI regulation, echoing discussions from the AI Action Summit and the UN’s Governing AI for Humanity report.
Read more here.
Thomson Reuters' Recent Report Shows AI Is Transforming Tax Work
/Thomson Reuters Tax & Accounting
The most recent Future of Professionals Report from Thomson Reuters Institute reveals that AI adoption is accelerating in the tax and accounting industry, with 79% of tax professionals believing AI will have a transformational impact within five years. AI-powered tools are helping firms automate technical research, streamline audits, and improve client services, enhancing efficiency and accuracy. Despite concerns about data security and ethical compliance, the report finds that a majority of professionals see AI as a “force for good” in their industry. The study highlights practical ways tax experts can leverage AI to optimize workflows, reduce human error, and adapt to evolving regulations, ensuring they stay competitive in an increasingly AI-driven field.
Read more here.
SOME AI TOOLS TO TRY OUT:
Nabiq - AI-driven lead engagement for personalized acquisition and retention.
Findaway Voices by Spotify - Create AI-powered audiobooks and publish on Spotify.
Pieces - Preserve and recall workflow details to seamlessly resume work.
That’s a wrap on today’s Almost Daily craziness.
Catch us almost every day—almost! 😉
EXCITING NEWS:
The Another Crazy Day in AI newsletter is on LinkedIn!!!
Leveraging AI for Enhanced Content: As part of our commitment to exploring new technologies, we used AI to help curate and refine our newsletters. This enriches our content and keeps us at the forefront of digital innovation, ensuring you stay informed with the latest trends and developments.
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