Accountants — Can you get more from Copilot in Excel this week?
The headline this week is a quiet one: no new AI tools to buy, but plenty of ways to get more from what you already have — and one regulatory change that affects shops and salons offering Buy Now Pay Later.
Jeff Brook
AI Researcher — Founder, AI Daily News
The headline this week is a quiet one: no new AI tools to buy, but plenty of ways to get more from what you already have — and one regulatory change that affects shops and salons offering Buy Now Pay Later.
Accountants — Can you get more from Copilot in Excel this week?
This week's AI research roundup from AI Daily News says nothing new to buy, so use what you have. If your practice is on Microsoft 365, Copilot in Excel can sense-check client reconciliations in minutes. This week, ask it to spot anomalies in a trial balance before you review.
Trades — What can you do with ChatGPT in 20 minutes?
The same research says most business owners underuse their AI subscriptions. For trades, try this: describe a customer's quote complaint to ChatGPT and ask it to draft a professional clarification email. One test will save you ten minutes on the next one.
Retail & Hospitality — One ChatGPT prompt to test next week's specials
Open ChatGPT or Copilot, list your three most expensive ingredients and current UK wholesale prices, and ask it to suggest seasonal swaps that hold the dish margin. Five minutes. You decide what makes the menu — but you go into the suppliers' call with options.
Agencies & Marketing — Is ChatGPT still your fastest draft tool?
If you're paying for ChatGPT but still writing client briefs from scratch, you're leaving time on the table. Paste your meeting notes into ChatGPT and ask for a structured brief draft. One hour of practice this week will cut your drafting time by half.
Professional Services — Have you documented your AI use yet?
The FCA's chief executive said this week that AI regulation in financial services is being rethought — and firms using AI must be able to explain their process. For law firms, consultancies, and healthcare practices, this week's task: write a one-page note on how you use AI for client work, so you're ready when a client asks.
Manufacturing & Wholesale — Can ChatGPT help with supplier negotiations?
The same quiet week applies to you. Use ChatGPT to draft a supplier negotiation email from a brief description of the terms you want. It won't replace your relationship, but it will give you a professional starting point in five minutes.
Money on the table this week
No major funding rounds opened this week. The Help to Grow: Digital scheme remains open for eligible businesses — check with your local growth hub if you haven't applied yet.
Bottom line: If you own a business that offers BNPL, talk to your payment processor this week. For everyone else, the highest-ROI move is spending 30 minutes with an AI tool you already pay for, doing one task you've been avoiding.
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