Hey there!

Come join me as I start my prep for the Agentic AI Hackathon hosted on the 25th of August (just a few more days!!)

I hear the term Agents from colleagues but it hasn’t peaked my interest just yet because of the huge pile of list on my bucket. I didn’t want to add more to the list! 😅

Let’s now build a prep plan together with Copilot!

The recommended learning & hands-on Plan:

Phase 1: Foundations

• Goal: Familiarise with agentic AI basics, Azure setup, Semantic Kernel, and AutoGen.
• Actions:
  • Complete the Develop AI Agents on Azure learning path.
  • Dive into the Develop an AI agent with Semantic Kernel module.
  • Explore Multi-Agent orchestration with Semantic Kernel module.
  • Read through Microsoft’s Agentic AI resources.
  • Look for blogs around Using Azure AI Agent Service with AutoGen / Semantic Kernel to build a multi-agent’s solution for architectural insight.
  • Watch expert livestreams occurred from April 8 -30 which covers a wide-range of topics such as SK, AutoGen, Azure Agent SDK, and Microsoft 365 Agents SDK.

Phase 2: Hands-On Build & Explore

• Goal: Build simple agents and gradually layer complexity
• Actions:
  • Simple Agent Build
    • Use the exercise Develop an Azure AI agent with the Semantic Kernel SDK to create a {build-your-own-use-case} agent
  • Tool Integration
    • Add further functionality!
  • Multi-Agent Orchestration
    • Implement orchestration patterns such as concurrent, sequential, group chat, handoff, and magentic using Semantic Kernel SDK .
  • AutoGen Integration
    • Learn how AutoGen can orchestrate multiple agents, and optionally integrate Semantic Kernel and AutoGen .

Phase 3: Deep Dive

• Goal: Build prototypes to gain more experience
• Actions:
  • Azure AI Agents:
    • Build and deploy a single agent with real actions.
  • End-to-End Multi-Agent:
    • Build an agent chain that uses orchestration patterns.
  • Enable Multi-Agent Frameworks:
    • Focus on framework-level integration (SK + AutoGen).
  • Presentation Builder:
    • Pair agent orchestration with document generation.
• Prep:
  • Sketch architecture: determine agents, tools, interactions.
  • Build minimal viable prototype with Semantic Kernel and/or AutoGen.
  • Use Azure Foundry SDK (C# or Python).
  • Add output layer such as web interface / presentation export.
  • Incorporate security and governance basics (human-in-loop, input sanitisation)

Let me know your thoughts and here’s to a fun and exciting hacking!