The 12 Days of Christmas Day 3 – Santa’s Little Helper: How AI and Copilot can lighten your workload 

In our office, the run-up to the holidays is a mix of fun and chaos. The tree goes up, someone puts on a playlist far too early in the morning, and Finn the office elf, who’ve you met on our first day of Techmas, starts turning up in odd places with crumbs from waffles from our last Verdifulle Wafler (link to LinkedIn post) on his shoes. But even with the fun, the last weeks of the year can feel heavy. Tasks keep coming, inboxes fill, and everyone tries to clear their desks before the break. It is in this swirl of festive noise and end-of-year stress that AI tools and Copilot start to feel like real helpers. 

AI tools can handle parts of everyday work that would typically take up a chunk of your time. Writing notes, shaping emails, preparing early drafts, pulling out key points from long documents… these are the sorts of tasks that keep teams busy in December. Copilot can take a first pass at them so you can focus on the parts that require your judgment. Finn says Copilot is the only helper in the office who actually listens. 

One of the best things about using AI at this point in the year is the time it gives back. Many people are finishing projects, covering shifts, or trying to wrap things up before they sign off. Instead of starting each task from scratch, you can let AI give you a base to build on. It can provide you with a draft, a clean list of points or a summary of a long meeting. It is like having someone untangle the lights before you hang them. 

Copilot also fits into the tools you already use. You do not need to switch to new apps or learn a whole new setup. Whether you are writing in Word, checking sheets in Excel, or sorting your diary in Outlook, Copilot supports you in the same space. Even Finn got the hang of it, though he did ask it how to hide from the boss. 

A common problem in December is that things slip through the cracks. People work odd shifts, step out for events, or take short breaks. Notes get spread across chats, files, and emails. AI tools help bring these scraps together. Copilot can turn rough ideas into a clear outline or take scattered notes and turn them into a tidy summary. This keeps teams steady even when half the office is in a jumper and thinking about mince pies. 

AI helps when teams are stretched thin. Someone is off sick, someone is on holiday, someone is tied up in last-minute tasks. Instead of carrying the whole load alone, you can lean on AI for quick drafts, summaries, or simple checks. It is not a complete substitute for a colleague, of course, but it can keep things moving without adding stress. Finn says it saves him “loads of effort,” though he spends most of his day hiding in cupboards. 

It is worth saying AI does not replace the human touch. It helps you go faster, but you still shape the result. Think of it more as a friendly helper who lays things out on the desk so you can finish the job. The skill, style, and sense still come from you. 

As the month rolls on, the office warms up, and the sunbeams start to stream in, it is nice to have a helper who eases the load rather than adds to it. AI and Copilot provide steady support when most people could use a break. And if Finn the office elf is giving it a thumbs up (while holding a waffle on the other hand), that is as good a sign as any. And that is a wrap for Day 3 of Techmas.