Orica reveals early use of Microsoft Copilot

Orica, a producer of explosives used in sector like mining, has revealed itself as an early user of Copilot artificial intelligence software in Microsoft 365.

The company said in its 2023 annual report [pdf] that it had been accepted into the Copilot early adopter program that opened in May this year.

It had not previously been named as one of the Australian early adopters.

“We have been accepted into the early adopter program for Microsoft Copilot, which embeds the power of generative AI into the Microsoft Office 365 suite to improve day-to-day productivity while protecting Orica’s data through inbuilt engineered security controls," it said.

More broadly, Orica is also strengthening its internal governance around AI adoption.

“In FY2023, we commenced activities to implement an enterprise-wide AI Community of Practice,” the company said in its annual report.

“This body will be responsible for governing the introduction and operation of AI, defining procedures, standards and principles for the continued responsible use of such solutions and ensuring compliance with Orica’s risk appetite, evolving regulatory frameworks and expectations to operate under a social licence.”

AI training will continue to be a priority through 2024, the company said.

Orica announced a net profit of $297.5 million on revenue of nearly $8 billion for the full year.

The company’s digital solutions business, responsible for its Axis Mining Technology, generated revenue of $212 million.

The coming financial year will see Orica work on integrating and optimising two “orebody intelligence” businesses it acquired in 2021: Hopper Industrial Group (HIG) and RIG Technology, the RHINO geophysical sensor business, with last year’s acquisition of Axis Mining Technology.