AI power users in Malaysia are working smarter and achieving more with Microsoft 365 Copilot
From procurement and learning and development, to tech operations, Microsoft 365 Copilot is helping Malaysians in the financial services sector reclaim focus, reduce digital overload, and unlock more meaningful work.
Across many roles and functions, the workday has become longer, more fragmented, and filled with digital clutter. New Microsoft telemetry shows the average worker receives 117 emails and 153 chats per day, getting interrupted every 2 minutes.
This reflects a familiar challenge for many professionals, with growing digital noise leaving little room for deeper thinking. But what if AI could step in to help employees prioritize tasks, quickly summarize lengthy reports or meeting notes, and draft clear and concise emails in minutes, thus freeing up time for more valuable and impactful work?
A growing number of AI power users in Malaysia are reaping the benefits of AI in such ways. As organizations adopt AI tools to navigate increasingly complex workflows, Microsoft 365 Copilot is emerging as a quiet force behind the scenes, helping knowledge workers to simplify, accelerate, and reimagine how everyday work gets done.
Reducing digital overload for better clarity
For leaders tasked with managing people, programs, and planning, keeping everything organized could be challenging. Dr. Nurrul Iiyana, who leads talent development and engagement at the Credit Guarantee Corporation Malaysia (CGC), understands this well.
“I’ve been using Microsoft 365 Copilot for almost a year now,” she says. “My work has become a lot more seamless and structured. I can keep sight of the bigger picture without getting overwhelmed by minor details.”
Her experience reflects a broader trend highlighted by the latest 2025 Work Trend Index: employees in Malaysia are turning to AI to access capabilities humans just can’t provide like unlimited ideas on demand, 24/7 availability, and machine-driven speed and quality. For leaders like Dr. Nurrul, Copilot can be more than an assistant – it’s a thinking partner that helps untangle complexity, clarify priorities, and empower informed decision-making.
Reclaiming time from repetitive work
Building on insights from the 2025 Work Trend Index, which revealed a widening capacity gap: 83% of Malaysian workers say they don’t have enough time or energy to get work done – yet 61% of leaders say productivity must increase.
That’s the reality Julia Choong, a Business Process Specialist in the Procurement Department at PayNet, knows all too well. “We handle a lot of complex data and adhere to strict processes,” she shares. “It can be challenging to stay creative when routine tasks take up most of your day, but that’s exactly why finding smarter, more efficient ways to work is so rewarding.”
Muhammad Shhaffieq from Permodalan Nasional Berhad (PNB)’s Technology Department experienced a similar challenge. “Previously, I felt like I was constantly juggling – switching between tabs, searching across multiple platforms just to complete basic tasks,” he says. “Now, with Microsoft 365 Copilot integrated into my workflow, everything feels much more seamless.”
With Microsoft 365 Copilot, both Julia and Shhaffieq found a digital partner that could take on the tedious parts of their jobs, empowering them to focus on higher-value priorities. “Drafting documents, building slides, summarizing emails or meetings, all of that now takes minutes,” says Shhaffieq. For Julia, Copilot in PowerPoint offers smart suggestions tailored to her content. “That leaves more time for strategic thinking and engaging stakeholders,” she adds.
Building confidence through everyday AI use
While AI holds immense potential, many workers still hesitate to embrace it fully — often unsure where or how to start. Which is why these AI power users recommend starting small and building familiarity over time.
“It might feel intimidating at first,” says Julia, “but you can begin with routine tasks or small projects and gradually build confidence.” Shhaffieq agrees. “Once you’ve gotten the hang of it, you’ll realize AI isn’t just a tool — it truly becomes your Copilot.” For Dr. Nurrul, the value is clear: “AI has helped me stay on top of things, and make smarter, faster decisions. It’s changed the way I work — and how I lead.”
In a world where the volume of work keeps rising but the hours in the day stay the same, workers across Malaysia are finding their edge with Microsoft 365 Copilot. And it’s not just boosting productivity, it’s helping reshape what work can feel like.
Announcements:
- Microsoft 365 Copilot now officially supports Bahasa Malaysia*, empowering people and organizations in Malaysia to harness the power of AI in the local language. Microsoft 365 Copilot is integrated with Microsoft 365 applications used by millions of users such as Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
- New capabilities in Microsoft 365 Copilot: Features like Copilot Search, Agent Store, the new Create and Notebook capabilities, along with the general availability of frontier agents such as Researcher and Analyst built for the era of human-agent collaboration.
- What’s New with Copilot: Read the monthly recap of What’s new in Microsoft 365 Copilot.
Kickstart your Copilot journey today, please visit: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/copilot
*Bahasa Malaysia has been available in Copilot Chat since its launch. Additionally, Microsoft 365 Copilot is accessible in both English and Chinese languages.