Microsoft's AI Futurist explains how he uses Copilot — and the real-world problems enterprises are solving with agents
At the Build 2026 conference, Microsoft emphasized the growing role of AI agents in enterprise systems, introducing new products like Microsoft IQ, a context layer for various applications, and personal work agents like Scout. Marco Casalaina, VP of Products for Core AI, highlighted the importance of agent context, governance, and customization in enhancing productivity and user experience across Microsoft platforms.
Microsoft's introduction of the IQ suite and their new agent models at Build 2026 highlights the company's strategic focus on developing integrated AI agents with robust context layers and secure enterprise data access. For professionals in AI, the actionable takeaway is to explore Microsoft's Foundry platform for developing scalable and customizable AI agents that leverage these new IQ capabilities, particularly for enhancing enterprise-level applications. This move underscores the importance of integrating AI with existing enterprise systems while ensuring governance and identity management.