Frontier Transformation Engineer: The New Standard for AI‑Ready Microsoft Professionals

AI transformation is no longer experimental: it’s operational, and Microsoft’s new Frontier Transformation Engineer badge is the first credential that formally validates the skills required by Frontier Firms to design, build, govern, and scale AI solutions across Copilot, Azure AI, Fabric, Microsoft IQ, and Agent 365.

This session breaks down what the badge actually represents, why Microsoft created it, and how it defines the technical and strategic baseline for modern solution engineers, architects, and consultants looking to demonstrate their end-to-end AI mastery.

You will learn the three phases of the Frontier learning journey: the certifications required, the project‑ready skills assessed, and how the CoE & Hypervelocity Engineering Framework prepares professionals to productionise AI apps and agents at scale.

Whether you work in Power Platform, Dynamics 365, Azure, or M365, this session will show how becoming a Microsoft Tech TITAN strengthens your credibility, by aligning you with its new blueprint for the next era of AI‑powered transformation and maximising the value you can deliver in a changing time.

This will be the first public delivery of this new session that has been inspired by the EPPC26 keynote from Chris O'Brien, MVP, the official launch of the Frontier Transformation Engineer badge in July 2026, and its strategic importance for Microsoft Partners looking to achieve the new Microsoft AI Cloud Partner Program Frontier Transformation Specialisation.

Vibe Coding in Action: Your Peer‑Powered Build Experience

In this relaxed interactive 'mentoring ring' session, you’ll step into a collaborative, peer‑to‑peer learning space where you can design and build your own Code App or Vibe‑coded solution with the support of a recognised expert.

You’ll work alongside other attendees, sharing ideas, solving problems together, and exploring the development patterns that bring engineering discipline, rapid delivery, and AI‑assisted build techniques to life.

You’ll experiment, iterate, and test your thinking in real time, gaining practical confidence as you apply Code Apps concepts to your own scenario. You’ll see how others approach similar challenges, pick up new techniques, and leave with clearer patterns, stronger skills, and a noticeable acceleration in your learning journey.

Whether you arrive with a rough idea or a half‑formed app, you’ll walk away with meaningful progress and a deeper understanding of how to bring Code Apps and Vibe Coding into your everyday practice.

First‑Party vs. Code‑First: The Great Microsoft App Debate

In a fast‑paced Harvard Business School–style debate, two expert teams go head‑to‑head to determine the future of Microsoft business applications. One side defends the strength and strategic importance of Microsoft’s First‑Party Apps—Dynamics 365 and the Model‑Driven foundations that underpin them. The other champions the rise of Microsoft Code Apps and Vibe Coding, unlocking delivery speed not seen before through engineering discipline and AI‑assisted development.

With the community questioning whether Canvas Apps are “dead,” this debate asks the bigger question: does the same threat apply to Dynamics 365, or does Microsoft’s own reliance on its First‑Party suite make it uniquely resilient?

Through structured arguments and sharp rebuttals, the teams will explore whether enterprises should double down on Dynamics 365 or prepare for a code‑driven future—and what this shift means for architects, developers, and digital leaders navigating the next wave of Microsoft innovation.

From Attendee to Advocate: How MGCI Regional Leaders Help You Shape the Microsoft Community

The Microsoft Community is one of the strongest and most supportive professional networks in technology, and its community-led events have always been a gateway for attendees to become active contributors, mentors, speakers and even organisers themselves.

Many aspiring community leaders aren't aware, however, that there's a community-led initiative supported by Microsoft that brings together volunteer leaders from around the world to strengthen, grow, and amplify Microsoft communities.

This is the Microsoft Global Community Initiative (MGCI) and its Regional Leaders play a vital role by acting as local ambassadors who help connect people, share best practices, support community events, elevate diverse voices, and create opportunities for others to get involved.

This session will show you how MGCI Regional Leaders can help accelerate your community journey. You'll learn:
* how community feedback reaches Microsoft through it
* how Community Days and user groups are supported by it
* where training and leadership opportunities exist
and
* the practical steps you can take today to become a recognised contributor within the global Microsoft ecosystem.

I was selected as an MGCI Regional Leader in July 2026 after having been sponsored to apply by one of its sitting Board Members. I work with four other MGCI Regional Leaders through The Mentoring Hub's Community Supporting Community program and hope that one or more of them will be able to join this session as guest speakers to add their longer real-world experiences alongside my own.

Collapsing BizApps: the AI & Agents driving the Dynamics 365 UI/UX Revolution

"As we enter the Era of Agents, the notion of Business Applications - of CRUD databases with a bunch of business logic - is collapsing.

The logic is going to agents who are multi-repo CRUD: they won't discriminate what the back end is. They will update multiple databases."

These are the paraphrased words of Satya Nadella, then Microsoft's CEO, in January 2025.

At Microsoft Ignite in October 2025, Charles Lamanna provocatively announced that "Low code is dead (as we know it)".

Signalling that the traditional split between Canvas Apps and Model‑Driven Apps is being eclipsed by an AI‑first approach, where Copilot agents generate modern Code Apps directly from natural language prompts.

Shortly afterwards Bryan Goode, Corporate Vice President, Business Applications and Agents announced the move 'From systems of record to systems of action: Dynamics 365, agentic business applications for the frontier'

So what does that mean for products such as Dynamics 365 and Power Apps that PREVIOUSLY were very static UI-led?

Join me as we get hands-on to explore the evolution already being seen as AI drives the UI/UX revolution and we pivot to the concept of the "UI for AI".

This session uses a mix of collaborative audience discussions and hands-on demonstrations to show how AI is driving the UI/UX revolution in the Dynamics 365 Business Applications.

It covers the latest developments in the Agentic AI and Copilot evolution journey, including demonstrating how Microsoft 365 Copilot is now the interactive workspace for Dynamics 365 Sale and Copilot Service Workspace Business Applications.

The Power of Mentoring in the Microsoft Power Platform ecosystem

The Power of Mentoring, particularly for women working with, and in, the Microsoft Power Platform ecosystem, is undeniable.

Good mentoring partnerships are impactful. They can shape careers, foster leadership, and create long-lasting relationships that help each other grow. They can contribute to women's success and development, both professionally and personally, through skilling and building networks of support.

Being part of the Microsoft Community and its "Better Together" story has shaped all of us. Our involvement with initiatives such as the Women in Power (Platform) Mentorship program, Women in Tech, and UN Women UK, has helped define our joint vision.

Now, we're daring to dream even bigger. We're bringing to life a global charity, HeuristicDev: The Mentoring Hub, as a safe Haven to guide, support, train, and uplift women and other minorities under-represented in Digital Technology or STEM Industry roles.

In this session, its Speaker team takes you through what this journey's looked like so far: from external and work-based cohort programs, to targeted intensive one-off 'unblocking' sessions, and other initiatives such as Speed Mentoring.

We'll discuss the benefits that these different approaches bring to both mentees and mentors, and the challenges that can sometimes arise.

We'll also highlight how essential male allies are to achieving all of the above goals, and the positive actions they can take to empower everyone,

And we'll bring you up to date with the latest news about the work of the Charity, and natter about how you can get involved in, contribute to, or support its programs.

Whether you're a mentor, mentee, ally, or someone wondering about what mentoring could bring to your professional and personal journey, we hope these insights will help inspire you too.

In addition to the three joint speakers registered for each session, there will usually be at least two other speakers making up the full The Mentoring Hub speaker team on the day.

'Adaptive' Intelligent Apps Demystified: Turning AI Buzzwords into Business Value

Have you heard the term Intelligent Apps but aren't quite sure what it means - or how to explain it to your customers?

What about 'Adaptive' Intelligent Apps?

What makes them 'Intelligent', let alone 'Adaptively Intelligent' and how are AI-powered solutions built within Dynamics 365 and Power Platform in ways that can truly drive real business outcomes for Frontier Firms?

This session explains the core characteristics of Adaptive Intelligent Apps: data-driven, context-aware, adaptive and absorptive, and explores how tools like Copilot, Autonomous Agents, and the Microsoft Dataverse, Graph, Work IQ and Agent 365 come together to deliver strategic value in transforming customer experience and operational efficiency.

Whether you're a functional consultant, community contributor, or someone looking to confidently engage business leaders in conversations about AI, this session will give you the clarity, language, and architectural insights to lead with impact.

This session is aimed at IT Pros, Community Developers, and Business Decision Makers.

It is a 200 Intermediate level

Its delivery is between 45 minutes - 60 minutes

Whilst its subject-matter ranges across the whole Microsoft Ecosystem of Azure, Security, Dynamics 365, Data, Microsoft 365, AI and the Power Platform, the examples of Intelligent Apps in action are focused on Copilot and Agentic AI in Dynamics 365.

Voices of Change: Real Stories of Mentorship in Action

Mentorship isn’t just a concept, it’s a catalyst for transformation.

In this interactive session, mentors and mentees from across the Microsoft Power Platform community share personal stories of growth, resilience, and connection.

But we’re not just here to talk at you: we want to hear from you.

Whether you’ve been a mentor, a mentee, or are just curious about the journey, come ready to contribute your own experiences, insights, and questions.

Together, we’ll explore how mentorship shapes careers, builds inclusive communities, and sparks real change.

This session was first delivered as a sponsor's discussion panel to accompany our excellent-rated The Power of Mentoring in the Microsoft Power Platform Ecosystem session delivered at Baltic Summit 2025.

It has now evolved to combine these two sessions into the one, that provides guidance as well as the opportunity for attendees to Ask Us Anything about Mentoring, being a New Speaker, or a Career Switcher.