Microsoft Future of Work Report Takeaways

In this news-packed episode, hosts Ray and Dan explore Purdue University's bold new requirement for all graduates to demonstrate AI competency; and the strategic partnerships between Harvey.ai (the specialised system for the legal profession) and universities in Sydney, Oxford and Chicago.

The conversation turns to the "first in the world" move by the University of Manchester to provide Microsoft 365 Copilot to 65,000 students and staff - paying homage to the legacy of Alan Turing.

A highlight of the episode is the deep dive into "vibe coding"— the phenomenon of non-programmers using AI to build applications through iterative prompting rather than manual syntax. They also tackle the "AI bubble," the rise of "work slop," and the surprising research showing that Boomers often have a more accurate understanding of how AI works than Millennials.

Links & Resources:

Purdue University adds 'AI working competency' graduation requirement https://www.purdue.edu/newsroom/2025/Q4/purdue-unveils-comprehensive-ai-strategy-trustees-approve-ai-working-competency-graduation-requirement/

University Law Schools introduce AI partnerships https://www.afr.com/companies/professional-services/sydney-and-uts-law-schools-bow-to-ai-wave-partner-with-harvey-20260119-p5nv49

University of Manchester announces 'world first' AI rollout with Microsoft https://www.manchester.ac.uk/about/news/world-first-ai-partnership-between-the-university-of-manchester-and-microsoft-announced/

"What we are doing about AI at UWA" https://www.uwa.edu.au/news/article/2026/february/what-we-are-doing-about-ai-at-uwa

High school students forced to fight false allegations of AI cheating https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-12-22/ai-detectors-incorrectly-brand-high-school-students-ai-cheats/106138394

New Future of Work Report from Microsoft https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/research/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/New-Future-Of-Work-Report-2025.pdf

The Impact of AI on Work in Higher Education https://www.educause.edu/research/2026/the-impact-of-ai-on-work-in-higher-education

Americans Have Mixed Views of AI – and an Appetite for Regulation https://www.searchlightinstitute.org/research/americans-have-mixed-views-of-ai-and-an-appetite-for-regulation/

And finally....

From the "Do you ever read T&C's" dept https://www.linkedin.com/posts/matthewwemyss_i-logged-into-ai-studio-yesterday-and-i-ran-activity-7411400400177729536-hgPL