Implementing a Center of Excellence for Generative AI

In this episode of the Azure Essentials Show, Thomas is joined by Ben Brauer from Azure Marketing for a discussion of the growing importance of establishing an AI Center of Excellence. As organizations increasingly look to scale their AI initiatives, this discussion provides practical insights into how a dedicated team can drive responsible, effective, and organization-wide AI adoption.

Three Things You Will Learn
• The core functions and structure of an AI Center of Excellence, including key roles and governance considerations.
• How to align business and technical strategies for successful, ethical, and scalable AI implementation.
Recommended resources and frameworks from Microsoft to help organizations get started and continuously improve their AI capabilities.

Resources
• Microsoft Cloud Adoption Framework for Azure https://aka.ms/CAF
• Azure Well-Architected Framework https://aka.ms/WAF
• Implementing an AI Center of Excellence https://aka.ms/GenAICoE_eBook
• AI Center of Excellence https://aka.ms/LearnAICoE
• Explore essential resources! https://azure.com/AzureEssentials
• Read Thomas’ blog https://www.thomasmaurer.ch/2025/08/implementing-a-center-of-excellence-for-generative-ai

Related episodes
• AI Adoption with the Microsoft Cloud Adoption Framework for Azure https://aka.ms/AzEssentials/196
• What’s new in the Well-Architected Framework https://aka.ms/azenable/143

Chapters
0:23 Introduction to AI Center of Excellence
1:44 Defining the AI Center of Excellence
4:56 Core Focus Areas and Team Structure
6:10 Structuring the Center of Excellence
7:19 Implementing Strategy and Continuous Improvement
9:09 Resources and Learning Paths

Connect
• Thomas Maurer https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomasmaurer2
• Ben Brauer https://www.linkedin.com/in/benbrauer

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