Why Every Business Needs an AI Strategy in FY25/26 (And How to Build One)
Artificial intelligence is no longer a futuristic concept or experimental technology. It’s here, it’s mainstream, and it’s already transforming how businesses operate. As we move into the new financial year, having a well-defined AI strategy isn’t just a competitive advantage, it’s fast becoming a necessity. Whether you’re in financial services, utilities, or any industry in between, now is the time to act.
Key Takeaways
- AI is now a business imperative, not a nice-to-have.
- Copilot, Power Platform, and other Microsoft tools offer accessible ways to integrate AI.
- A good AI strategy aligns with your business goals, not just your tech stack.
- You don’t need to overhaul everything. Start small, measure, and scale.
- 365 Mechanix can help you build and execute a tailored AI roadmap.
Why You Need an AI Strategy in FY25/26
The pressure to modernise is growing
Businesses are under increasing pressure to streamline operations, enhance customer engagement, and reduce costs. The digital landscape is evolving rapidly, and those who fail to adapt risk being left behind. With the right AI strategy, organisations can move from reactive problem-solving to proactive innovation.
AI adoption is accelerating in Australia
Recent data from Microsoft reveals that Australian enterprises are embracing AI at a growing pace. Tools like Microsoft Copilot, Azure OpenAI, and Power Platform AI Builder are being explored widely. However, using these tools effectively requires more than experimentation, it demands strategic direction.
Avoiding piecemeal implementation
Without a clear roadmap, AI initiatives can become fragmented. One-off pilot projects often fail to scale or deliver real value, resulting in missed opportunities and wasted investment. A strategic approach ensures AI initiatives are aligned with measurable outcomes and long-term business goals.
What Is an AI Strategy?
It’s more than buying software
An effective AI strategy goes beyond simply adopting new technology. It should serve as a blueprint for how AI capabilities will enhance your core operations. Whether it’s streamlining workflows, improving service delivery, or enabling faster decision-making.
It includes people, processes and governance
True transformation involves more than just technology. You need to consider how teams will adopt AI, how data will be accessed and governed, and how to ensure responsible and ethical use of AI. Training, change management, and system integration all need to be part of the plan.
Where to Start: The Building Blocks of an AI Strategy
Define business objectives
Begin with clarity. What are you trying to achieve? Whether it’s reducing manual effort, improving customer satisfaction, or accelerating processes, identifying specific, measurable goals is the first step toward shaping your AI strategy.
Audit your data maturity
AI is only as good as the data that powers it. Assess whether your data is clean, accessible, and integrated across systems. If your organisation is working with siloed or inconsistent data, this is the time to address it. A strong data foundation is critical to successful AI adoption.
Identify high-impact use cases
Look for areas where AI can create the greatest value. Focus on processes that are repetitive, data-heavy, or currently inefficient. For example, customer service departments can benefit from AI-driven chatbots, while finance teams might explore automation in loan approvals or compliance monitoring.
Choose the right tools
Microsoft offers a powerful ecosystem of AI tools. Start with those available within your existing licences, such as Copilot in Microsoft 365 for productivity enhancements or Power Automate for workflow automation. When needed, expand into custom AI development with tools like Copilot Studio or Azure OpenAI.
Build a responsible AI framework
Governance is essential, especially for regulated industries. Your strategy should include clear policies on fairness, transparency, and human oversight. Accountability and monitoring mechanisms will help ensure that AI use remains ethical and compliant.
Upskill your team
AI shouldn’t be limited to technical teams. Upskilling across departments fosters a culture of innovation. Provide your staff with training on AI fundamentals, prompt engineering, and Microsoft tools. Initiatives like Microsoft’s AI Skills Initiative are a great place to start.
How 365 Mechanix Supports AI Adoption
Microsoft-first approach
At 365 Mechanix, our solutions are built using Microsoft technologies. This ensures compatibility with your existing environment and positions your business for long-term success. We specialise in Dynamics 365, Power Platform, Copilot, and Azure AI.
Tailored implementation
We don’t believe in one-size-fits-all solutions. Our team works closely with yours to identify suitable use cases, build proof-of-concepts, and create scalable AI solutions. We help align your technology investments with your specific business objectives.
Key Questions to Ask Before Building Your AI Strategy
Start by asking the right questions. What problem are you trying to solve? Do you have the right data? Who are the stakeholders that need to be involved? And perhaps most importantly, how will you define and measure success? These questions will shape the direction and feasibility of your strategy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the difference between Copilot and AI Foundry?
Copilot provides embedded AI experiences in Microsoft 365 apps like Word, Excel, and Outlook, helping users write, summarise, and automate daily tasks with ease.
AI Foundry, on the other hand, is Microsoft’s new enterprise-grade platform that allows businesses to build, customise, and operationalise their own AI models and copilots. It’s designed for scenarios where out-of-the-box solutions aren’t enough—giving you greater control over data, logic, and integration with your systems.
Is AI expensive to implement?
Many AI capabilities are included in Microsoft licences, so you may already have access without realising it. By starting with small, focused use cases, businesses can prove value before scaling further. This makes AI adoption cost-effective and manageable.
How long does it take to see results?
Smaller projects, like document automation or chatbot deployment, can show results in just a few weeks. Larger, more integrated strategies may take several months to deliver full benefits but the long-term ROI is often significant.
Is AI safe and compliant?
Yes, when implemented with the right governance. Microsoft’s responsible AI framework and compliance tools help ensure safe deployment. At 365 Mechanix, we guide clients through these considerations to ensure best practices are followed.
Can 365 Mechanix help us create a Copilot?
Absolutely. We offer Copilot Studio in a Day sessions and custom implementation services to help businesses build copilots tailored to their unique needs.
What if we’re not ready for AI yet?
That’s perfectly fine. Often, the first step is cleaning and organising your data, or automating a simple manual task. From there, we can work with you to develop a roadmap that introduces AI at a pace that makes sense for your business.
Need help creating your AI strategy? Chat with the team at 365 Mechanix today.