Unlocking AI-ready data with Microsoft Fabric

Artificial intelligence has evolved from being just an idea to something very real. Tools like Microsoft Copilot and various AI assistants are revolutionizing the way businesses operate. However, CFOs, CIOs, and other leaders must realize that the effectiveness of AI relies heavily on the quality of data it’s given.

Poor data can lead to incomplete or misleading results, regardless of how advanced the AI tools are. Organizations aiming to make informed decisions face a significant question: how can they prepare their data to harness AI’s capabilities?

The solution is to become AI-ready. With Microsoft Fabric, companies can create a cohesive platform where their data is clean, organized, and easily accessible, setting the stage for successful AI integration and insightful conversations.

What is meant by being “AI-ready”?

Cloud storage is only one aspect of being AI-ready. Making data reliable, organized, and accessible throughout the company is the goal:

• Trusted: The information is consistent and dependable. Operations teams and finance executives see the exact figures.
• Structured: The information has distinct definitions, relationships, and hierarchies that mirror actual business processes.
• Accessible: Users in sales, operations, and finance can utilize data without hindrance or undue reliance on IT.

Sound governance is just as crucial. AI-ready data complies with established security, compliance, and stewardship guidelines. Users can rely on the data when governance is integrated; they can ask questions clearly and understandably and within the scope of what they are allowed to see.

This foundation enables conversational analysis: the ability to type a simple question, such as “What were our top three revenue drivers last quarter?” and instantly get a reliable answer.

How Microsoft Fabric supports AI readiness

Microsoft Fabric is designed to help organizations prepare for AI by consolidating their data more efficiently. It eliminates the need for disconnected systems by providing a trusted and governed environment for managing data.

With Fabric’s OneLake, all of an organization’s data is under one roof. It links different systems, such as ERP and CRM, making it easier to work with financial and operational data together.

Additionally, it develops user-friendly models that convert complex data into language that executives can easily grasp. This consistency helps with reporting across various departments.

Fabric also prioritizes security and governance, giving reassurance to CIOs and IT leaders through features that track data usage and ensure compliance.

Additionally, its integration with Power BI and Copilot enables easy data queries and insights. Overall, Microsoft Fabric streamlines the path to becoming AI-ready.

Preparing data for conversational insights

Organizations must also shape data models to ensure business relevance, even though Fabric provides the platform. Best practices include:

• Shape models for data are one example of a best practice. Data should align with the organization’s performance metrics, whether they are supply chain nodes, cost centers, sales territories, or revenue streams.
• Build layers of semantics. Plain-language queries that yield accurate insights are made possible by semantic models, which convert unstructured data into business terms and concepts.
• Clearly define terms and relationships. Ambiguity is eliminated by using consistent definitions. In every report, “net revenue” or “gross margin” should have the same meaning.
• Improve glossaries and metadata. Business glossaries and metadata enhance AI’s ability to accurately understand natural language.

With these actions, conversational analysis becomes dependable and useful, providing valuable insights for all roles.

Your AI success starts with your data. Join Velosio’s Trey Johnson for a practical, business-ready session on how to prepare your data for Copilot, Data Agents, and conversational analytics using Microsoft Fabric. Schedule your call now!