In boardrooms and offices across the globe, artificial intelligence has shifted from a futuristic buzzword to a present-day productivity tool, fundamentally transforming how business gets done. Nowhere is this transformation more tangible than within EY Oceania, where Regional Managing Partner and CEO David Larocca is rewriting the playbook for tech-driven leadership. Tasked with guiding 9,000 employees across a vast and competitive region, Larocca has chosen to do more than simply champion digital transformation from a distance—he’s rolling up his sleeves and integrating Microsoft 365 Copilot AI into the very core of his workday. His hands-on approach not only demonstrates a crucial evolution in executive leadership but sends a clear message: the future of work is here, and it’s powered by generative AI.
David Larocca’s foray into generative AI tools reflects a growing trend among forward-thinking executives who recognize that to harness new technologies, hands-on involvement beats delegation. When EY’s Oceania member firms became early adopters of Microsoft 365 Copilot in 2024, Larocca personally committed to learning the technology, allocating at least an hour every two weeks to immersing himself in AI. This investment included reading technical material, diving into podcasts, and engaging in peer discussions—an approach that echoes a core leadership principle: “lead from the front”.
Rather than relegating AI adoption to the IT department or innovation teams, Larocca has made Copilot a daily companion. What began as simple tasks—calendar management, email drafting, and document summarization—has quickly expanded into using Copilot to analyze strategy, streamline decision-making, and drive organizational priorities.
By modelling active participation, he demonstrates that AI isn’t a distant technology for only tech specialists—it’s a practical, accessible asset for every business leader. This top-down commitment has a cascading effect across EY Oceania, helping to demystify AI for employees who might otherwise feel intimidated by its complexity.
To support this vision, Larocca regularly shares his Copilot experiences with his staff, surfacing both success stories and challenges. This transparency turns technology adoption into a shared journey, rather than a top-down mandate. The feedback loop is critical: as leaders recount practical AI use cases, it lowers the barrier for broader adoption and galvanizes teams to experiment with new workflows.
By leading visibly from the front, Larocca harnesses what change management experts call “social proof.” When a CEO or other senior executive embraces AI tools with genuine engagement, others are more likely to follow, seeing the technology as both safe and relevant. This tactic aligns with studies showing that successful tech adoption spikes in organizations where leaders actively model desired behaviors.
According to Microsoft’s official documentation, Copilot is designed for transparency and security, with built-in guardrails to ensure data privacy and compliance—crucial factors for a professional services giant like EY. Early adopters report that Copilot can boost productivity by up to 30% for information workers, though industry experts caution that actual gains vary depending on organizational readiness and employee engagement.
EY, with its deep experience in risk management, is acutely aware of these threats. Larocca’s own approach—personally stress-testing Copilot and working with technology and compliance teams—serves as a model for responsible experimentation. He advocates for a measured rollout, including the following best practices:
Yet, leaders caution that raw productivity metrics—emails sent, meetings summarized—are only part of the story. The real promise of AI integration lies in qualitative benefits: freeing up cognitive bandwidth for meaningful work, enabling continuous learning, and fostering a workplace culture that thrives on adaptability.
For the professional services sector, the stakes are amplified. Clients expect advisors who can deliver insights at digital speed, backed by robust analytics and seamless collaboration tools. EY’s Oceania leadership, under Larocca’s guidance, demonstrates that the most successful organizations are those where technology strategy and people strategy are fused.
As other leaders look to Catalyze similar change, Larocca’s commitment offers more than a playbook—it’s an invitation to rethink what leadership means in the age of AI. Rather than fearing disruption, the boldest CEOs are learning that productivity, creativity, and resilience now hinge on their willingness to experiment first, communicate openly, and empower teams to think beyond traditional boundaries.
For industries across the spectrum—from finance and healthcare to manufacturing and beyond—the lesson is unambiguous: embracing AI is not an option but a competitive imperative. As professional landscapes shift, one trait distinguishes the most successful organizations: leaders who are as invested in technology’s promise as they are in its practice.
Source: WebProNews EY Oceania CEO Embraces AI for Productivity Gains
The Making of an AI-Driven Leader
David Larocca’s foray into generative AI tools reflects a growing trend among forward-thinking executives who recognize that to harness new technologies, hands-on involvement beats delegation. When EY’s Oceania member firms became early adopters of Microsoft 365 Copilot in 2024, Larocca personally committed to learning the technology, allocating at least an hour every two weeks to immersing himself in AI. This investment included reading technical material, diving into podcasts, and engaging in peer discussions—an approach that echoes a core leadership principle: “lead from the front”.Rather than relegating AI adoption to the IT department or innovation teams, Larocca has made Copilot a daily companion. What began as simple tasks—calendar management, email drafting, and document summarization—has quickly expanded into using Copilot to analyze strategy, streamline decision-making, and drive organizational priorities.
From Personal Productivity to Organizational Impact
Larocca’s journey with Microsoft 365 Copilot is marked by a clear trajectory: personal proficiency first, then organizational proliferation. He leverages the AI tool not just to automate mundane tasks but to extract insights from complex data sets, generate actionable recommendations, and ensure his time is spent on high-value activities. This shift yields tangible productivity gains, but perhaps more importantly, it sets a visible standard for his leadership team.By modelling active participation, he demonstrates that AI isn’t a distant technology for only tech specialists—it’s a practical, accessible asset for every business leader. This top-down commitment has a cascading effect across EY Oceania, helping to demystify AI for employees who might otherwise feel intimidated by its complexity.
Creating a Culture of AI-Readiness
Fostering an organizational culture that welcomes AI integration isn’t a matter of issuing memos or hosting one-off workshops. What distinguishes Larocca’s approach is his insistence on blending AI into “the fabric of daily work”—a process that necessitates both visible enthusiasm and strategic patience. “The real power of Copilot is only unlocked when people stop seeing it as an add-on and start using it as a natural extension of their roles,” he notes in conversations with Source Asia.To support this vision, Larocca regularly shares his Copilot experiences with his staff, surfacing both success stories and challenges. This transparency turns technology adoption into a shared journey, rather than a top-down mandate. The feedback loop is critical: as leaders recount practical AI use cases, it lowers the barrier for broader adoption and galvanizes teams to experiment with new workflows.
Overcoming Resistance and Building Trust
One persistent hurdle in any tech adoption strategy is cultural resistance—the fear that new digital tools may threaten job security or overwhelm staff. Research from Stanford and MIT, for example, finds that employees often experience “AI anxiety” before seeing clear, personal benefits. Larocca’s open demonstrations—organizing his own schedule, drafting real communications, and sharing tangible results—make the benefits concrete and reduce skepticism.By leading visibly from the front, Larocca harnesses what change management experts call “social proof.” When a CEO or other senior executive embraces AI tools with genuine engagement, others are more likely to follow, seeing the technology as both safe and relevant. This tactic aligns with studies showing that successful tech adoption spikes in organizations where leaders actively model desired behaviors.
Microsoft 365 Copilot: A New Era for Professional Productivity
Microsoft 365 Copilot, the generative AI suite at the heart of this transformation, represents the next leap in enterprise productivity tools. By integrating directly into familiar Microsoft apps—Word, Excel, Outlook, Teams, and more—Copilot empowers users to draft proposals, summarize meetings, analyze complex spreadsheets, and even brainstorm ideas in real time. It operates by combining large language models (including those from OpenAI) with Microsoft Graph data and enterprise content stored within the Microsoft 365 cloud.According to Microsoft’s official documentation, Copilot is designed for transparency and security, with built-in guardrails to ensure data privacy and compliance—crucial factors for a professional services giant like EY. Early adopters report that Copilot can boost productivity by up to 30% for information workers, though industry experts caution that actual gains vary depending on organizational readiness and employee engagement.
Key Features and Real-World Applications
- Automated Communications: Copilot drafts and replies to emails, creates meeting agendas, and summarizes conversations in Teams, saving executives hours each week.
- Data Analysis and Recommendations: In Excel, Copilot can interpret financial data, build complex formulas, and highlight trends—functions that would otherwise demand advanced training.
- Document Drafting: In Word and PowerPoint, Copilot generates business reports, presentations, and marketing copy, all tailored to an organization’s unique voice and requirements.
- Knowledge Management: Drawing on corporate data, Copilot can answer policy questions, surface relevant files, and contextualize information for easier decision-making.
Navigating the Risks: Caution Amid the Hype
While the benefits are significant, embracing generative AI tools like Copilot demands caution. Security, privacy, and ethical considerations loom large, especially for firms entrusted with sensitive client data. Microsoft emphasizes compliance and data governance, but major cybersecurity analysts warn of risks from prompt injection attacks, data leakage, and inadvertent access to proprietary information.EY, with its deep experience in risk management, is acutely aware of these threats. Larocca’s own approach—personally stress-testing Copilot and working with technology and compliance teams—serves as a model for responsible experimentation. He advocates for a measured rollout, including the following best practices:
- Conduct thorough risk assessments before tool deployment.
- Implement granular access controls and regular audits.
- Train employees on responsible AI use and common pitfalls.
- Collaborate with technology vendors to identify and patch vulnerabilities.
Measuring Impact: Early Results and Industry Benchmarks
Preliminary data from Microsoft and independent consultancies supports the claim that generative AI can unlock measurable efficiency gains. McKinsey & Company, for example, estimates that AI adoption could add $4.4 trillion in annual value to the global economy, with knowledge work and professional services topping the list. EY Oceania’s early experience aligns with these trends, with anecdotal evidence showing significant time savings in routine task management and accelerated decision cycles.Yet, leaders caution that raw productivity metrics—emails sent, meetings summarized—are only part of the story. The real promise of AI integration lies in qualitative benefits: freeing up cognitive bandwidth for meaningful work, enabling continuous learning, and fostering a workplace culture that thrives on adaptability.
Lessons for Executives: A Blueprint for AI-Enabled Transformation
For business leaders in every sector, Larocca’s experience offers a replicable blueprint for integrating generative AI:- Engage Personally First: Before drafting an organizational AI policy, executives should get hands-on experience. Mastering tools like Copilot equips leaders to ask better questions and identify high-impact opportunities.
- Model the Behavior You Want to See: Change sticks when employees see leaders authentically using new technology. Regularly share both wins and setbacks in open forums.
- Communicate a Clear Vision for AI: Frame generative AI not as a threat but as a tool for empowerment. Link adoption to core business values and strategic objectives.
- Support Continuous Upskilling: Invest in ongoing training, not one-off sessions. Encourage curiosity and offer protected time for experimentation.
- Address Risks Proactively: Build strong partnerships between IT, compliance, and business units to mitigate security, privacy, and ethical risks.
The Competitive Imperative for Digital Transformation
In today’s hyper-competitive market, lagging behind on technological innovation isn’t simply an operational risk—it threatens organizational survival. As generative AI matures, companies failing to adopt intelligent automation are likely to see their cost structures, talent retention, and customer satisfaction erode in comparison to more agile rivals. A 2024 survey by Gartner found that 70% of organizations plan to increase AI investments, and nearly half view digital talent as their single most strategic asset moving forward.For the professional services sector, the stakes are amplified. Clients expect advisors who can deliver insights at digital speed, backed by robust analytics and seamless collaboration tools. EY’s Oceania leadership, under Larocca’s guidance, demonstrates that the most successful organizations are those where technology strategy and people strategy are fused.
Looking Ahead: The Future of Work, Powered by AI
David Larocca’s journey from personal experimentation to enterprise transformation embodies a new archetype for the digital C-suite—one grounded in hands-on curiosity, transparency, and a willingness to lead by example. By weaving Microsoft 365 Copilot into the fabric of his daily routine, he sends a signal to both employees and peers: the era of generative AI isn’t on the horizon—it’s already shaping today’s work.As other leaders look to Catalyze similar change, Larocca’s commitment offers more than a playbook—it’s an invitation to rethink what leadership means in the age of AI. Rather than fearing disruption, the boldest CEOs are learning that productivity, creativity, and resilience now hinge on their willingness to experiment first, communicate openly, and empower teams to think beyond traditional boundaries.
For industries across the spectrum—from finance and healthcare to manufacturing and beyond—the lesson is unambiguous: embracing AI is not an option but a competitive imperative. As professional landscapes shift, one trait distinguishes the most successful organizations: leaders who are as invested in technology’s promise as they are in its practice.
Source: WebProNews EY Oceania CEO Embraces AI for Productivity Gains
