Microsoft unveils AI-powered developer tools at Build 2025, highlights agent-based computing

Microsoft kicked off its annual developer conference, Build 2025, with a clear emphasis on expanding its AI capabilities across the software development and enterprise landscape.

CEO Satya Nadella introduced a host of new tools and features aimed at building what Microsoft calls an “open agentic web”. This is a framework where software entities can autonomously perform tasks, collaborate across systems, and accelerate work in coding, enterprise workflows, and scientific research. With that clarified, let’s delve into all announcements at Microsoft’s Build 2025 event.

GitHub Copilot becomes a full coding agent

Microsoft’s popular coding assistant, GitHub Copilot, is no longer just a tool that helps you write code. It’s now capable of handling entire tasks on its own. You can assign it jobs like fixing bugs, updating features, or writing documentation, and it will set up a private workspace, read through the project’s code, and propose changes. All without touching the actual live version until you approve them.

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Think of it as a junior developer who works independently but still checks in with you before making final decisions. This upgraded version of Copilot is already available for paid users under Copilot Pro+ and Enterprise plans.

Microsoft 365 Copilot Tuning and multi-agent orchestration

Microsoft 365’s Copilot is also getting a big boost in flexibility and collaboration. With a new feature called Copilot Tuning, businesses can now adjust how Copilot responds; tailoring it to match the company’s tone of voice, preferred terminology, and work processes. Even teams without technical expertise can now create versions of Copilot that feel personalised to their workflow.

Microsoft is also enabling multiple AI agents to work together across departments. For example, if a new employee joins a company, digital agents from HR, IT, and marketing can handle their part of the onboarding process simultaneously. This coordination between AI assistants helps reduce delays and improve efficiency in day-to-day operations.

Azure AI Foundry expansion

Azure AI Foundry, Microsoft’s cloud-based platform for building AI applications, has expanded in a big way. It now supports more than 10,000 different models, including popular ones from companies like Meta, Hugging Face, Mistral, and Elon Musk’s xAI.

This makes it easier for developers to choose the right AI for the job, whether they’re building something for customer service, data analysis, or creative work.

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Microsoft also introduced new tools within Foundry that simplify security, identity management, and app development. Developers can now build custom AI agents more easily, with smarter search features and direct connections to Copilot Studio for added flexibility.

NLWeb: Natural language interface for websites

Microsoft is also aiming to change how we interact with websites. The newly announced NLWeb is an open-source tool that lets developers add conversational features to websites with very little effort. Instead of clicking through menus or searching manually, users will be able to type a question or command in plain English and get a direct response from the site.

This works by using existing web formats like Schema.org and RSS, and it allows websites to connect with a variety of AI models. Microsoft’s CEO Satya Nadella described NLWeb as “HTML for the agentic web”, essentially, it’s a way to give websites a brain and a voice.

Microsoft Discovery: Accelerating scientific research

With Microsoft Discovery, the company is turning its attention to science and research. This new tool uses AI agents to help scientists run experiments, simulate outcomes, and generate new ideas. It can even support work in the lab by analysing data and suggesting what to test next.

At the event, Microsoft highlighted a real example where Discovery helped researchers design a safer, non-toxic coolant. The goal is to speed up the time it takes to develop new medicines, materials, or solutions by automating parts of the research process and helping teams work together more effectively.

Broader vision and availability

All of these updates point to Microsoft’s broader strategy – embedding intelligent, task-specific AI into every layer of its ecosystem. From developer tools and office software to scientific platforms.

What sets this year’s approach apart is the shift from general-purpose AI to agents that can work securely and independently, tailored to the needs of different users and industries.

Some features, like the updated GitHub Copilot and Azure AI Foundry tools, are already rolling out to enterprise users. Others, including NLWeb and Microsoft Discovery, will be available soon, either as open-source projects or limited previews.

Build 2025 continues through May 22, with more announcements expected. For the latest, stay tuned to Unboxed by Croma.