How Lars Erik Halved His Workweek Using Microsoft Copilot (Without Getting Fired)
Meet Lars Erik Brekne Johnsen (LinkedIn)! A guy I am truly inspired by, he have thrown him self into the world of AI and has figured out how he can use it, safely and effectively!
He’s not lazy – just clever. And a little obsessed with AI.
Lars Erik works in the public sector, where meetings multiply like rabbits and reports seem to write themselves (except they don’t – you write them). Then he discovered the magic combo: Dictation + Microsoft Copilot.
His method? Use the microphone and speak into Word, let Copilot clean it up, and voilà – a meeting summary that’s actually readable. No recording needed. No stress. Just more time to focus on real work (or lunch, we won’t judge). Off course, everyone can use Copilot within Teams meetings now, so that is taken care of, but all other meetings should now be covered!
His go-to AI combo includes:
- Dictation into Word + Copilot for fast, structured notes
- Smart prompts to plan courses, assess AI risks, and auto-build workflows
- Prompt templates so good they deserve their own HR policy
Real prompts Lars Erik actually uses (fully written out):
🗣️ For summarizing a dictated meeting:
Open Word and use the dictation option in Word, then prompt Copilot within Word:
“Summarize the following dictated text. The meeting was about effective and responsible use of AI in our workday, with focus on practical tools, workflows (like e-learning), time-saving, GDPR, and dictation as method. Highlight key points, decisions made, and action items.”
📚 For developing a training course:
“Act as an instructional designer. Help me create a step-by-step plan for building a digital learning module about conflict management for employees in the municipal sector. Include gathering sources, organizing key messages, drafting text, tailoring tone, and suggesting visual layout or video scripts.”
🔍 For risk evaluation:
“You are an expert on AI in the public sector, GDPR, and the EU AI Act. Based on this task list [insert list], assess the risk of using AI support, and categorize them as Minimal, Limited, High, or Prohibited. For each task, give safe examples of how AI could assist within legal and ethical boundaries.”
🛠️ For organizing tasks and boosting productivity:
“Here’s my job title and three main tasks: [Insert]. Suggest 2–3 ways I can simplify or automate these tasks using AI tools like Copilot or ChatGPT, with minimal effort and maximum impact.”
Lessons learned (the hard way):
- AI won’t fix bad habits, but it will speed them up
- Your first AI output will be bad. Your third will be decent. Your fifth? Magic.
- If you’re good with AI, you’ll be asked to do everything. Learn to say “no”
The outcome?
Lars Erik cut down on:
- Endless typing
- Repeat meetings
- Formatting hell
And got more time to:
- Time for professional development
- Creative thinking
- Peace to help colleagues (and drink your coffee while it’s still hot)
As Lars Erik says;
“AI doesn’t make you redundant. It makes you efficient – if you dare to use it correctly.”
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