AI Trends, Copilot Upgrades, and the Gender Gap -

Another week of the newest updates and AI trends in tech:

🚀 Microsoft Build 2025 to unveil smarter Copilot, powerful new AI models, and the cutting-edge Maia 2 chip.

📊 Lesson of the Week: Learn how to adapt your data story to different formats for maximum clarity and impact.

💼 Women less likely to use generative AI, risking wider workplace equity and productivity gaps.

📱 Weekly Tech Tip: Recycle your old phones and appliances for free.

🚀 What’s New: Support for assessment links in learning paths, security enhancements, and general performance fixes.

📕 Book of the Week: The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey.

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AI Trends Front and Center at Build 2025

Microsoft’s Build 2025 developer conference, set for May 19–22, is expected to showcase major AI trends, particularly around its Copilot assistant and integration across Windows and enterprise tools.

The company may reveal its new MAI AI models, advancements in agent-like features for Copilot, and potentially debut the Maia 2 AI chip for Azure.

Lesson of the Week

Sourced from our skill, “Designing Visual Narratives,” this article explores how to tailor data storytelling for different formats. Learn how to align visuals and messaging to engage audiences across reports, presentations, dashboards, and more.

Question of the Week:

You work for a call center at a utility company, and you are presenting this chart to the CFO to get budget approval for staff training on handling customer relations during outages.

When determining the audience for your presentation, you conclude that the data visual is fit for a:

Select one

A) Written report because it lacks explanatory text.

B) Live presentation because it lacks explanatory text.

C) Live presentation because it is self-explanatory.

D) Written report because it is self-explanatory.

See if you’re right–the answer is at the bottom!

The Silent Divide in GenAI Adoption

Recent research shows a significant gender gap in workplace adoption of generative AI tools like ChatGPT, with women markedly less likely to use them.

This disparity risks exacerbating productivity and equity gaps unless companies take proactive steps such as targeted training and inclusive policies.

Experts emphasize the importance of practical support, role models, and inclusive AI development to ensure equal benefits for all employees.

Weekly Tech Tip

Recycle Your Old Phones and Appliances for Free

(Before recycling, back up your data and do a factory reset).

Best Buy – Recycle 3 items/day (phones, laptops, TVs). Haul-away available for big appliances.

Staples – Up to 7 items/day (laptops, routers, webcams). Offers pickup and prepaid labels.

Home Depot – Drop-off for batteries, phones, and LED bulbs.

EcoATM – Get cash for phones at kiosks (Walmart, Kroger).

Smartphone Recycling – Free shipping for 10+ devices, potential payout.

Recycling for Charities – Donate devices, send $$ to your favorite cause.

Call2Recycle – Drop off batteries/phones or order a mail-in kit.

EPA & Electronics Take-Back Coalition – Find brand-specific recycling programs.

💡 Pro Tip: Old phones make great home cams or music players. Don’t toss them—reuse, recycle, or cash out.

What's New

Assessment links can now be added to learning paths for easier access. Security and performance have also been improved.

Book of the Week

Stephen R. Covey’s The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People outlines a framework for personal and interpersonal effectiveness based on seven key habits.

These habits are structured to guide individuals from dependence to independence and ultimately to interdependence, promoting growth, responsibility, and collaboration.

Widely influential since its 1989 release, the book emphasizes character development over superficial traits and has been adapted for various audiences including teens and children.