Microsoft has introduced a preview of the Microsoft Agent Framework, an open-source growth package for .NET and Python for creating AI brokers and multi-agent workflows.
It helps creating particular person brokers in addition to graph-based workflows to attach up a number of brokers.
In keeping with Microsoft, the Agent Framework is a direct successor to its different tasks Semantic Kernel and AutoGen, using foundations from each. It brings collectively Semantic Kernel’s enterprise-grade options like thread-based state administration, sort security, filters, telemetry, and mannequin and embedding help, with AutoGen’s abstractions for single- and multi-agent patterns.
“Each had passionate customers — however every had gaps,” Microsoft wrote in a weblog submit. “Builders requested us: why can’t we have now each — the innovation of AutoGen and the belief and stability of Semantic Kernel — in a single unified framework?”
Like Semantic Kernel and AutoGen, the Agent Framework may even be open-source and Microsoft welcomes the neighborhood to contribute.
The Agent Framework was constructed round open requirements, and helps MCP, Agent-to-Agent (A2A), and OpenAPI. MCP permits brokers to find and use exterior instruments or knowledge sources, A2A permits builders to construct brokers that may collaborate with different brokers, and OpenAPI help permits any REST API that follows the OpenAPI specs to be imported as a callable instrument. Brokers can run in containers, on-premises, or throughout a number of clouds.
It helps a number of totally different orchestration patterns, together with sequential orchestration for step-by-step workflows, concurrent orchestration, group chat orchestration for brokers to collaborate, handoff orchestration to maneuver tasks between brokers, and magnetic orchestration, which permits supervisor brokers to construct a activity ledger that coordinates specialised brokers and people to resolve complicated issues.
Different options that the Agent Framework has contains built-in connectors to enterprise techniques, pluggable reminiscence modules, YAML and JSON definitions for declarative prompting, help for OpenTelemetry, and the power for brokers to pause, resume, and get better from interruptions.
“Brokers are quick changing into the subsequent layer of software logic — reasoning about objectives, calling instruments, collaborating with one another, and adapting dynamically. With Microsoft Agent Framework, builders now have a single, open-source basis that carries the perfect of analysis innovation into manufacturing with the sturdiness, observability, and enterprise readiness required to scale,” Microsoft wrote.
