Episode Details

In this episode of the M365 Show, Mirko Peters speaks with Fergus Kidd, Microsoft MVP, Co-Founder and CTO of FieldPal AI, about moving enterprise AI beyond the desk. While much of the conversation around Microsoft Copilot, generative AI and productivity focuses on knowledge workers, Fergus makes the case for the people maintaining infrastructure, repairing equipment, carrying out inspections and keeping essential services running. These frontline teams often work with limited connectivity, limited screen time and an overwhelming amount of paperwork—yet they have some of the clearest opportunities for meaningful AI impact.

FROM EXOMARS TO EDGE AI
Fergus shares how his early work on the camera software for the ExoMars rover helped shape his approach to AI. A rover operating far from Earth has to work with constrained hardware, communication delays and a need to make decisions close to where the work happens. Those principles are surprisingly relevant for today’s field workers: technicians at wind farms, engineers on industrial sites and service teams on the road cannot rely on a stable connection or a laptop at every moment. The conversation explores why edge and on-device AI can be faster, more resilient and more useful when it supports people directly where the job is done.

WHY FRONTLINE WORKERS NEED A DIFFERENT AI EXPERIENCE
A frontline worker may not have an email address, a Microsoft Teams account or the time to type detailed updates into a tablet. They are fixing machinery, inspecting a site, installing windows or dealing with a customer. Traditional business software often fails because it adds another complicated tool to learn instead of removing friction from the work itself. Fergus explains why voice-first interaction, simple mobile experiences and rugged wearable computers can make the difference between a proof of concept and a tool people genuinely want to use.

WEARABLE COMPUTE, VOICE AND THE REALITY OF THE FIELD
The episode looks at practical wearable technology from providers such as RealWear and Vuzix. Rather than treating smart glasses as a futuristic novelty, Fergus describes them as wearable computers that can give workers hands-free access to information, cameras and voice controls. A technician can speak to an AI assistant, call a manager through Teams, capture evidence, scan a code or document a repair without stopping the physical task. The key is not putting technology in front of people—it is making the technology disappear into the workflow.

WHY HOLOLENS, VR AND CONSUMER GLASSES STRUGGLED
Fergus and Mirko discuss why many highly visible mixed-reality and virtual-reality projects did not become standard enterprise tools. Cost, hardware fragility, difficult app integration and unclear business value all matter. In industries where a device can be dropped, damaged or used while wearing PPE, a premium headset with a steep learning curve may be the wrong answer. The conversation highlights the importance of choosing technology that integrates with enterprise data, SharePoint, Azure and existing operational processes rather than creating a disconnected consumer experience.

TURNING CONVERSATIONS INTO BUSINESS VALUE
FieldPal AI was built around two recurring problems: frontline workers need to look up information, and they need to complete reports. Instead of asking an installer or technician to type long forms after a full day on the road, the platform enables a short natural conversation at the point of work. The AI can capture key details, structure reports, identify missing information and ensure photos, serial numbers and job data are collected when they are still available. This does not only save time—it can improve data quality and prevent the expensive rework caused by incomplete or inaccurate paperwork.

AGENTIC AI: MORE THAN A CHATBOT
Agentic AI is the foundation th