[seo title=’Creating a Presentation with AI: From Brief to First Draft’ slug=’presentatie-maken-met-ai’ meta_description=’Creating a presentation with AI? Learn which tool to use, which prompt works, what to check, and how to handle company data safely.’ image_alt=’creating a presentation with AI for first draft of slides’]

Creating a Presentation with AI: From Brief to First Draft

If you want to create a presentation with AI, this may sound familiar: it is the end of October, year plans and year-end reviews are coming up, and you are staring at a blank slide with only a title. For a team meeting, client pitch or annual overview, AI can produce a first draft in minutes. That is useful, but you still decide what is right, what suits your audience, and what is safe to share.

In this article, you will learn which tool to use, what exactly to type, and what you should always check yourself. The examples are meant for beginners at work.

How can you create a presentation with AI?

You describe in plain language what you want, and AI creates a draft that you then edit and check.

There are roughly three routes. Which one is useful depends on your workplace, your subscription and the way you like to work. Do not expect a flawless final presentation. Think of AI mainly as help with the first version.

• Copilot in PowerPoint: you work directly in PowerPoint. Based on your brief, Copilot can create a draft presentation. According to Microsoft, availability depends on your licence or subscription. Check with Microsoft what applies in your case.
• A chatbot such as ChatGPT or Claude: first you ask it to create an outline, slide titles and speaker text. Then you copy the text yourself into PowerPoint or another presentation tool.
• Turn a Word document into slides: you use an existing document as the basis. According to Microsoft, Copilot can use the command Create presentation from file to create a draft presentation based on a Word document, with images and speaker notes.

If you do not have Copilot, you can still start with a chatbot. Ask for a clear structure and short text per slide. Then build the slides yourself in PowerPoint, Google Slides or another programme.

For beginners, it is smart to start small. First ask for an outline of 6 to 8 slides. If the order is right, then ask for the text to be developed.

If you already work a lot with Microsoft 365, Copilot in PowerPoint may feel familiar. If you also use Copilot for email, you may recognise the approach from Copilot in Outlook.

How long does it take? A first draft can be ready in minutes if your brief is clear. Most of the time after that goes into checking, shortening, adapting to your house style and practising.

How do you make a presentation with Copilot in PowerPoint?

According to Microsoft, you start a new presentation, open Copilot Chat via the Copilot icon at the bottom right, and then describe what you need.

Menu names and buttons can change. So use the steps below as practical guidance, not as a fixed guide for every version of PowerPoint.

1. Open a new presentation in PowerPoint.
2. Open Copilot Chat via the Copilot icon at the bottom right, according to the Microsoft support page.
3. If needed, choose an AI model, or leave the setting on Automatic.
4. If available, choose a brand kit.
5. Type your brief in plain language.
6. Answer any questions about audience, length, template and images. According to Microsoft, you can also skip those questions.
7. Let Copilot generate the presentation and then check every slide.

So Copilot may ask extra questions before the presentation is created. That is useful, because a presentation for a leadership team should sound different from one for colleagues in a team meeting.

Microsoft also describes a route from a file. On the English support page, the command is Create presentation from file. In a Dutch interface, the name may be translated differently. According to Microsoft, Copilot then creates a draft presentation based on a Word document, with images and speaker notes.

That route is useful if you already have a project plan, annual overview or proposal. You do not have to start from scratch. Do check whether Copilot picks up the right points from the document and does not skip anything important.

Which prompt works best for a presentation?

The best prompt names your goal, audience, length, tone and the sections the presentation must include.

A prompt is simply your instruction to AI. The more specific you are, the more useful the first version will be. A vague request such as create a presentation about our company will produce a general result. A request with audience, purpose and length gives much more direction.

Use this prompt as a starting point:

The number of slides prevents the presentation from becoming too long or too short. The audience helps AI choose the right level. An explanation for new colleagues calls for different wording from a client pitch.

The goal is just as important. Do you want to inform, persuade, prepare a decision or give a review? Put that clearly in your brief. The duration helps keep the content in bounds. A 10 minute presentation leaves little room for long lists.

If possible, first ask for an outline. Microsoft also says you can start with an outline plan, meaning a content structure. Adjust that structure before you ask for the slides to be created.

A good workflow is:

1. Ask for an outline with slide titles.
2. Check whether the order makes sense.
3. Cut what is not needed.
4. Add topics that are missing.
5. Only then ask for the slides and speaker notes.

That way, you work step by step. It usually gives a better result than one long prompt that asks for everything at once.

What should you check yourself after creating your presentation with AI?

Always check facts, figures, names, images, house style and confidential information before you share the presentation.

AI can sound convincing and still make something up. This is often called AI hallucinations. That means AI gives information that looks real but is not correct.

Use this checklist before you present:

1. Facts: does the content match what you know and your own sources?
2. Figures: are the numbers, years, amounts and percentages correct?
3. Names: are the names of people, teams, clients and projects spelled correctly?
4. Images: do the images fit your story and are you allowed to use them?
5. House style: do the logo, colours, font and layout match?
6. Confidential info: is there anything in there that should not be shared?

Also read the speaker notes. AI may add extra explanation there that is not on the slide. That is helpful, but there can also be errors, overconfident claims or sensitive details in there.

Also watch the amount of text. A slide is not a report. So ask for no more than three short points per slide and put your story in the speaker notes.

Finally, check the tone. A year-end review in a care team often calls for warmer wording than a formal client presentation. AI will only get that right if you make it clear and then refine it afterwards.

Can you put company data into an AI tool for your presentation?

Only if your employer allows the tool. Do not paste personal data or confidential information into free chatbots.

The Dutch Data Protection Authority warns that more and more data leaks are happening because employees paste personal data into AI chatbots. According to that warning, free chatbots in particular carry risks. That warning is summarised by Unie and ICT Magazine.

The GDPR applies in the Netherlands and Belgium. That law covers personal data. Think of names, addresses, employee records, customer data and other information that can be traced back to a person.

So ask which AI policy applies at your workplace. Some organisations allow certain tools. Others prefer that you do not enter data into external chatbots at all.

You can often practise with general or anonymous information. For example, use customer A instead of a real customer name. Replace real figures with example figures if you only want to test the format of the presentation.

This also applies to presentations that seem harmless. A team overview can contain sensitive information. A client pitch can contain confidential figures or names.

For basic rules, also read more about using AI safely.

Practical example, tools and common mistakes when creating a presentation with AI

Copilot works directly in PowerPoint, while ChatGPT and Claude mainly help with the content, structure and text that you then put into a presentation yourself.

Comparison of three routes

All the tools mentioned can work in Dutch. Do make it clear that you want Dutch text and which tone fits. Always proofread the text, because language and tone can still be too generic.

Tool	Works inside PowerPoint itself	Suitable for	Watch out for
Copilot in PowerPoint	Yes	Building a complete draft presentation	Subscription and availability vary. Check with Microsoft.
ChatGPT	No, copy text over	Thinking up the outline and text	No company data in the free version.
Claude	No, copy text over	Thinking up the outline and text	No company data in the free version.

The choice depends on your workflow. If you want slides built directly in PowerPoint, Copilot is the obvious choice if you have access. If you want to think first about the story line, a chatbot may be enough.

Practical example: Sanne in home care

This practical example is an illustration. The result can differ each time and always needs adapting.

Sanne works as a team leader at a Dutch home care organisation. On Monday, she has to present the annual overview to her team in 10 minutes. Her team has 12 home care staff.

She writes in Copilot Chat:

Create a presentation of 8 slides for my team of 12 home care staff about our year 2026. Tone: warm and clear. Topics: what went well, what was difficult, three goals for 2027. Use short sentences and add speaker notes.

Copilot may ask questions about the audience and the template. Sanne answers those questions. Then Copilot creates a draft.

The expected result is a presentation with a title slide, 6 content slides and a closing slide. It also includes speaker notes. That gives Sanne something to work with quickly.

Then the real work begins. Sanne replaces general text with her own figures. She removes a slide that is not right and checks the names. So AI helps her with structure and wording, but Sanne remains responsible for the content.

Common mistakes and how to fix them

Most mistakes come from too little direction or too little checking. Use these fixes to stop your presentation becoming vague, wrong or unsafe.

1. Giving a vague brief: do not just write create a presentation about our company. Name the goal, audience, number of slides, tone and content.
2. Taking everything at face value: read every slide. Check figures, names and sources.
3. Putting too much text on slides: ask for no more than three short points per slide. Put your story in the speaker notes.
4. Pasting confidential data: do not put personal data or confidential information into a free chatbot. Anonymise it or use the approved work tool.
5. Not working iteratively: ask for an outline first. Adjust it. Only then ask for the slides to be made.

Working iteratively means working in steps. You ask for something, check whether it is right and then make changes. That usually gives a better presentation than one long prompt.

Frequently asked questions about creating a presentation with AI

The short answers below will help you get started safely and practically.

Can AI create a complete presentation?

Yes, as a draft. You check the content, adjust the text and decide what really goes into the presentation.

Is creating a presentation with AI free?

That depends on the tool and the subscription. Check the provider for the current terms, availability and costs.

Does it work in Dutch?

Yes, the tools mentioned can work in Dutch. State the language and tone clearly in your prompt and read the text carefully.

Can I use my company data?

Only with your employer’s permission. Do not put personal data or confidential information into free chatbots.

Do I need PowerPoint?

Not necessarily. A chatbot can provide the outline and text. You can then place that in PowerPoint or another presentation programme.

As your next step, pick a presentation you still need to make this week. Fill in the placeholders in the prompt, let AI build only the first version, and keep practising with what a prompt is.

• Copilot
• Privacy
• Prompts