Microsoft Azure for Partners

The critically acclaimed TV show Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. delved deep into the MCU for seven seasons, touching upon many seemingly futuristic concepts, including artificial intelligence.

A half decade after the show ended, a different type of agent has come to prominence.

Agentic AI, or ‘AI agents’, have grown in popularity thanks to the success of ChatGPT and AI assistants like Microsoft Copilot, Gemini, and Jasper. These existing LLM-based chatbots help users complete specific tasks by following prompts and instructions.

An AI agent is an intelligent autonomous system capable of performing certain tasks, answering questions, and automating processes 24/7/365. But they are different from their LLM counterparts. They vary from simple chatbots and copilots to sophisticated AI assistants that can sense their environment and choose which actions to take to achieve a goal. Humans set the goals, but the agents determine how to accomplish them, independently. Think of them as the new apps for an AI-powered world, growing in popularity.

The Growth and Challenge of AI Agents

By 2027, Deloitte predicts that half of companies that use Gen AI will have launched agentic AI pilots or proofs of concept that can act as smart assistants, performing complex tasks with minimal human supervision.

Some in the channel are still uncertain about this new technology, despite the enormous potential being promoted as the next big evolution of AI technology. AI agents may pose certain questions associated with a system's level of autonomy and the overall potential of its use. But there are already solutions available to address these concerns.

Microsoft has created a multi-agent library in Copilot Studio for developers and users worldwide. This library allows them to select from secure AI agents created from commonly used scenarios and autonomous triggers, helping businesses automate complex tasks easily. Organizations can use ready-made agents in Microsoft 365 Copilot and Dynamics 365 or build custom agents to help with more specific needs in Copilot Studio.

Build Secure, Stateful Autonomous AI Agents

With the new Azure AI Agent Service, developers can choose from small or large language models to orchestrate, develop, and scale agent-powered apps to streamline and automate complex workflows like order processing and customer data synchronization. Microsoft provides a software development kit with tools for developing agents, allowing developers to integrate agent capabilities using Visual Studio Code and GitHub while ensuring control of and confidence in the agent, even when it is operating independently.

By responsibly leveraging AI agents, Microsoft Azure partners can position themselves at the forefront of innovation, safely unlocking unprecedented efficiencies and setting the stage for success. The future is here, and it’s time to embrace the next wave of generative AI.