Microsoft introduces Agent 365 to help oversee AI agents

Microsoft introduced a new product on Tuesday that is designed to help companies list, monitor and control artificial intelligence agents deployed across their systems. The tool, called Agent 365, will be shown to business leaders and information technology staff during the company’s Ignite conference in San Francisco this week.

Agent 365 identifies AI agents created with Microsoft software. It also detects agents from Adobe, Cognition, Databricks, Glean, ServiceNow and Workday. The software displays agents built through Azure AI Foundry and Copilot Studio, and Microsoft said other developers can connect their systems to the platform.

Judson Althoff, chief executive of Microsoft’s commercial business, said the tool gives companies a way to manage agents in a manner similar to onboarding employees. He said Agent 365 will allow organizations to set identity and access controls for each agent.

The product provides a central dashboard showing all agents in use inside a company. Administrators can approve new agents, review which ones are gaining traction and track how many hours of employee work they save each week. The tool also highlights possible security issues and includes options to block specific agents. Employees can review activity logs to understand how the agents operate.

The rise of OpenAI’s ChatGPT in late 2022 led software companies to develop agents that can write code, craft advertising content and carry out basic tasks. Large companies have begun deploying these tools across different business units, increasing the need for oversight and security controls.

Mark Luquire, a managing director at EY, said the accounting firm previously kept its own catalog of internal agents. He said EY has started adopting Agent 365 to strengthen visibility and management.

Security vendors have taken note of the rapid expansion of AI agents. In September, Okta said it would release products that can discover agents and track their use as part of broader access-management functions.

Microsoft said customers participating in its Frontier early-access program can request trials of Agent 365. The company has not yet set pricing.

Microsoft (MSFT) has a Disruption Score of 5 and is part of the Disruption Aristocrats.