Microsoft Adoption
Champions play an important role in turning AI adoption into new ways of working. They explore what’s possible with Copilot, share actionable insights, and build confidence across their teams.
Building a successful Champion program requires more than finding enthusiastic early adopters. Organizations need to define the role, set clear boundaries and expectations, and give employees a reason to participate.
A one-page role charter can bring it all together.
Champions are trusted changemakers who experiment with AI, demonstrate its value in practice, and make Copilot adoption approachable and relevant within their organization. They combine the curiosity of an early adopter, the hands-on experience of a power user, and the influence to inspire change across their community.
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Test useful, responsible ways to apply Copilot to everyday work.
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Share real-world examples and approaches that colleagues can apply to their own work.
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Build AI fluency and strengthen communication, facilitation, and leadership skills.
Champions don’t replace IT, compliance, training, or Copilot adoption program teams. They complement these teams by applying organizational guidance to the realities of day-to-day work.
Champion programs create more value when participation feels like a development opportunity rather than another volunteer responsibility.
Through the role, employees build hands-on AI expertise while strengthening communication, facilitation, community-building, and change management skills. They can also connect with other Champions and AI practitioners, gain recognition for advancing AI adoption, and build a portfolio of repeatable workflows and adoption wins.
The organization benefits from that development, too. Champions connect organization-wide adoption efforts with the day-to-day work of individual teams, turning experimentation into repeatable practices, creating clearer feedback loops, and extending adoption across more teams.
At KOHLER, a global manufacturing company, more than 200 Champions connect across the business to exchange ideas and best practices. The network is part of a broader AI change management strategy that contributed to 98% Microsoft Copilot adoption in six weeks.
There’s no single profile for a successful Champion. The strongest candidates bring a mix of qualities and skills to the role.
They’re curious and credible. Great Champions are early adopters who learn by doing, spot opportunities in everyday work, and have the trust of their peers.
They put what they learn to work. Champions model responsible Copilot practices, create examples others can use, and share reusable prompts and approaches. They also stay attuned to questions, blockers, and promising use cases that improve the broader adoption program.
They lead through influence. Champions make learning social and approachable. They facilitate conversations and demos, contribute to Champion communities, and connect teammates with experts and approved resources when additional support is needed.
A role charter turns the Champion role into clear expectations. Keep it concise enough to share with current and prospective Champions, managers, and leaders. Depending on your program, your charter might include:
| Charter element | What to include |
| Role purpose | Why the Champion role exists and how it supports practical, responsible Copilot adoption |
| Value for Champions | What Champions gain from participating, such as AI fluency, visibility, recognition, influence, community, and professional development |
| Who the role supports | The teams, departments, or communities the Champion serves |
| Ideal Champion profile | Successful Champion characteristics, such as curiosity, credibility, communication skills, and a willingness to experiment and share |
| Champion responsibilities | What Champions are responsible for, including modeling responsible use, sharing workflow examples, gathering feedback, and connecting peers with resources |
| What Champions don’t own | Responsibilities outside the Champion role, like IT support, licensing, security and compliance approvals, formal training, adoption strategy, or business outcomes |
| Support and escalation paths | Where Champions should direct questions or issues that fall outside the scope of their role |
| Who Champions work with | Key partners, including program owners, IT admins, managers or sponsors, other Champions, and relevant policy or compliance partners |
| Development and recognition | How Champions can build skills, share wins, gain visibility, and receive recognition |
| Participation expectations | Expected time commitment, meeting or community participation, and frequency of contributions |
Defining both the benefits and boundaries of the role establishes a clearer, more sustainable value exchange: Champions understand what’s expected of them and what the organization provides in return.
Use Copilot to build your Champion role charterThe following prompt is designed to help you create a Champion role charter for your organization:
Example prompt
Help me build a Champion role charter for my organization. Ask me any clarifying questions you need before drafting, then create a concise one-page charter.
Include: role purpose; value for Champions; ideal Champion profile; who Champions support; Champion responsibilities; what Champions do not own; support and escalation paths; participation expectations; development and recognition opportunities; and measures of individual and program success.
Use the following context:
Keep the output practical, motivating, and clear enough to share with leaders, managers, peers, and prospective Champions.
A finished charter gives leaders and managers a shared set of expectations, supports Champion recruitment,
and gives existing Champions a clearer picture of their role.
