At Microsoft Build 2024, held on May 19, Chairman and CEO Satya Nadella unveiled the company’s bold vision for an “open agentic web”—an AI-powered ecosystem where autonomous agents perform tasks, make decisions, and collaborate across workflows.
“We’re reshaping every layer of the stack to help every developer build apps and agents that empower people and organizations everywhere,” Nadella said.
Key Announcements from Microsoft Build 2024:
GitHub Copilot as an Autonomous Coding Agent
GitHub Copilot now goes beyond pair programming, functioning as a full-fledged AI coding agent. Developers can assign tasks via GitHub Issues or Copilot Chat, and the agent autonomously handles bug fixes, feature development, code refactoring, and documentation—working securely and transparently within GitHub.
Microsoft 365 Copilot Tuning
A new low-code tuning feature allows companies to personalize Copilot with their internal workflows, tone, and data. Businesses can now build domain-specific agents—for example, legal teams can automate client-specific document generation. All data remains protected within Microsoft’s 365 secure boundary.
Multi-Agent Orchestration
Microsoft introduced orchestration capabilities, enabling multiple AI agents—across HR, IT, marketing, etc.—to collaborate on complex tasks, such as employee onboarding.
Azure AI Foundry Enhancements
Azure AI Foundry now supports over 10,000 models, including Grok 3, Mistral, and Hugging Face models. The platform offers advanced features like agentic retrieval, Copilot Studio integration, and Azure AI Agent Service, making it easier to deploy custom AI workflows.
NLWeb: Natural Language for the Web
Microsoft launched NLWeb, an open-source protocol that lets developers add natural language interfaces to websites. It allows AI agents to understand and act on structured web content, positioning NLWeb as the “HTML of the agentic web.”
Microsoft Discovery: AI for R&D
Microsoft Discovery is a new AI platform that accelerates scientific research by automating simulations, data analysis, and hypothesis testing. It’s already contributing to innovations like eco-friendly coolants.
