Microsoft Foundry - The AI App and Agent Factory

Explore Microsoft Foundry, the unified AI app and agent factory designed for enterprise development, in this 16-minute conference presentation from Microsoft Ignite 2025. Discover how Foundry simplifies the developer experience with a comprehensive agent framework for multi-agentic applications, enabling teams to move seamlessly from concept to production. Learn about the new Model Router feature that optimizes model selection based on cost and accuracy requirements, and see how agents can connect to Microsoft Fabric for structured data integration. Understand how Foundry IQ creates unified knowledge bases across multiple data types and formats, while the Foundry Control Plane allows for aggregation and management of multiple agents at scale. Examine the implementation of MCP (Model Context Protocol) connectors for native Microsoft 365 integration, including demonstrations of marketing agents generating reports directly in Word. Gain insights into the platform's workflow automation capabilities, secure deployment options, integrated safety controls, expanded model catalog, and built-in governance and compliance features that enable enterprises to build, evaluate, and operate AI agents grounded in their own data.

Syllabus

0:00 - Yina Arenas Introduced as CVP of Microsoft AI Foundry
00:01:45 - Introduction of Model Router for Optimal Model Selection
00:05:06 - Transition to Demonstration Segment
00:06:55 - Cost vs Accuracy Optimization and Enterprise Use of Model Router
00:08:00 - Connecting Agents to Fabric for Structured Data Integration
00:10:00 - Foundry IQ Enables Unified Knowledge Bases Across Data Types
00:11:46 - Aggregation of Multiple Agents in Foundry Control Plane
00:13:38 - Using MCP Connectors for Native Microsoft 365 Integration
00:13:58 - Marketing Agent Generates Report in Word via MCP Server