How Danone Used AI to Transform Business Operations and Cut Manual Errors

Global food giant Danone has turned artificial intelligence from a buzzword into real business value through a strategic partnership with Microsoft. The company deployed Microsoft 365 Copilot to over 50,000 employees and implemented autonomous agents that are revolutionizing HR processes and order management.

Major AI Wins Across Global Operations

Danone's transformation began with an ambitious upskilling program for 100,000 employees in 2024. The company distributed 10,000 Copilot licenses from day one, allowing workers to automate routine tasks and focus on high-value innovation work.

The real breakthrough came with autonomous agents that tackle specific business challenges:

• HR Process Automation: Managers now interact with AI agents that pre-fill forms, validate data, and ensure accurate organizational changes—eliminating manual errors and improving user experience
• Order-to-Cash Optimization: An autonomous agent powered by Microsoft Copilot Studio analyzes thousands of daily customer orders from multiple formats, cross-references pricing with internal systems, and detects discrepancies before billing
• Reduced Billing Disputes: Automated validation workflows have sped up order handling, cut billing disputes, and improved cash flow by catching pricing inconsistencies early

From AI Hype to Measurable Business Impact

"What's exciting is when I visit the many markets of Danone, I see Agentic AI really coming to life," says Erwin Logt, Group CIO at Danone. The company's success comes from aligning AI initiatives with core business strategies and focusing on 2-3 high-impact priorities rather than scattered experiments.

Danone's approach goes beyond technology deployment. Through the Danone Microsoft AI Academy, the company equips employees with AI literacy skills, creating a culture where human judgment works alongside AI precision to maintain strong customer relationships while boosting efficiency.

The results demonstrate how clear vision and strategic partnerships can transform AI ambitions into concrete business value—turning process bottlenecks into competitive advantages across a global organization spanning 120 countries.

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