Tool Deep Dive: Copilot for M365 in AEC Practice

Microsoft Copilot for M365 is already included in many AEC firms' technology stacks. The question is whether it is creating real value for project teams, or simply becoming another unused licence.

Join Maria Mingallon, AI Leader (APNA) at Mott MacDonald, for a practical, hands-on session designed around the daily realities of architecture, engineering and construction practice.

This is not a generic product tour. Maria will demonstrate where Copilot can support the work AEC professionals do every day: drafting and reviewing reports, specifications and correspondence; managing a complex project inbox; summarising meetings and minutes; preparing for client conversations; and making sense of project data in Excel without needing advanced spreadsheet skills.

Drawing on lessons from leading AI adoption programmes, the session will also explore how organisations can identify high-value AI use cases, build capability across their teams, and turn individual productivity gains into lasting business value.

The session will take an honest look at where Copilot is not yet the right tool, where human judgement remains essential, and how to build AI into existing document and project workflows so it becomes a useful team habit rather than a novelty.

You’ll leave with practical prompts, repeatable use cases and clear ideas for turning your existing M365 investment into a measurable productivity lift, while gaining a better understanding of where AI agents and more advanced AI capabilities may create value for your organisation in the future.

Date: Wednesday 21 October 2026

Time:  12:00 - 1:00pm

Location:  Zoom webinar

Event Type:  Webinar

Cost: Free for members & non-Members

About the presenter

Maria Mingallon is AI Leader for Asia Pacific, New Zealand and Australia (APNA) at Mott MacDonald, where she leads AI adoption, capability uplift, governance and the development of practical AI solutions across the business. She is also Chair of the AI Forum New Zealand and Chair of its Architecture, Engineering and Construction Working Group, helping shape industry conversations on the future of AI in the built environment.

Maria works with leadership teams to identify high-value AI opportunities, build organisational capability and embed responsible AI into project delivery and business operations. She brings a unique blend of engineering, digital transformation and AI expertise. 

Maria regularly advises executives and project teams on AI strategy, Microsoft Copilot adoption, AI agents, workforce capability development and responsible AI governance, helping organisations move from experimentation to measurable business value. She has been recognised as an Autodesk 40 Under 40 Champion of Construction and was awarded the Visionary Prize by the Quebec Association of Consulting Engineers.

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