Microsoft (MSFT, Financial) is pioneering a future where global users will rely on AI agents for tasks ranging from coding to operating Windows systems. At its annual Build conference in Seattle, the tech giant outlined its vision for an "open agent network" where AI agents can make decisions and perform tasks for individuals or organizations. These agents, either semi-autonomous or fully autonomous, can execute specific tasks such as data migration between applications or booking concert tickets. Some agents can even communicate with each other to form a network capable of handling more complex tasks.
Microsoft's Executive Vice President of Cloud and AI, Scott Guthrie, emphasized the accelerating pace of AI development, transitioning from proof of concept to impactful business solutions. Microsoft aims to make it easier for enterprises, developers, and startups to keep pace with new technologies.
Currently, approximately 230,000 organizations use Microsoft's Copilot Studio to develop custom AI agents, with a projection of 1.3 billion agents by 2028. At the conference, Microsoft showcased several AI agent applications, including the Microsoft 365 Agents Toolkit and GitHub Copilot for developers.
Despite its advancements, Microsoft faces resource limitations as the demand for AI capabilities outpaces its processing capacity, potentially slowing application adoption and sales. AI has contributed significantly to Azure's growth, yet resource constraints are expected to persist beyond the June quarter.
