Global Azure 2026 "Simplifying Azure AI for Citizen Developers", Insights from Athens
I recently had the opportunity to speak at Global Azure 2026, hosted at Technopolis Athens, part of a worldwide community-driven event bringing together professionals to explore the latest innovations in Microsoft Azure.
Global Azure is a global knowledge-sharing initiative that connects developers, IT professionals, and business leaders, creating a space where technology meets real-world business challenges.
In my session, “Simplifying Azure AI for Citizen Developers”, I focused on how the Fusion Team model enables stronger collaboration between business and IT, allowing organizations to move faster from idea to execution using Azure AI and Power Platform.
A central part of this approach is AI Builder and the broader AI Hub within Power Platform. AI Builder empowers business users to incorporate AI into their workflows through a low-code experience, while AI Hub provides a centralised way to discover, manage, and govern AI capabilities across the organisation.
We explored practical scenarios such as intelligent invoice processing, where AI can automatically read and extract key information from documents, reducing manual effort and errors. This kind of capability allows teams to streamline operations and focus on higher-value tasks.
Another key aspect is process execution, combining AI with Power Automate to trigger actions based on insights. For example, once an invoice is processed, workflows can automatically validate data, route approvals, or integrate with backend systems, creating end-to-end intelligent automation.
These examples highlight how AI is no longer a complex, standalone capability, but something that can be embedded directly into everyday business processes.
Supported by recent trends in Greece, it is clear that organizations are increasingly prioritizing productivity, reinforcing the need for tools that simplify innovation and accelerate delivery.
A key insight from the session is that organisations are shifting toward more connected, AI-driven ways of working—where low-code platforms and cloud AI services play a central role in enabling both business users and developers.
Events like Global Azure demonstrate how important it is to bridge the gap between technology and business, and how communities can accelerate that journey through shared knowledge and collaboration.
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