Microsoft Ignite 2025: The most important things at a glance

{:d e}

From November 18 to 21, 2025, Microsoft Ignite took place in San Francisco and Microsoft presented over 70 new features, products and updates. With over 200,000 participants (including 17,000 on site) and more than 400 sessions, the conference was a clear statement: the era of simple chatbots is over, the era of autonomous AI agents begins.

The central themes of Ignite 2025

Ignite 2025 focused on frontier firms – companies that combine human leadership and AI automation. Microsoft presented an infrastructure that can be used to effectively develop, secure and integrate AI agents into business processes.

Overview of the main announcements

• What’s new in Teams
  Copilot in chats, channels, and meetings
  
• Microsoft Agent 365
  The central management plane for all AI agents
  
• Work IQ, Foundry IQ and Fabric IQ
  The intelligent knowledge system for AI
  
• Microsoft 365 Copilot Extensions
  New Features and Agent Modes
  
• SQL Server 2025
  GA release with integrated AI
  
• Windows as an AI platform
  Native Agent Infrastructure
  
• Security Innovations
  Agent ID, Defender Updates, Purview Extensions
  
• Azure Infrastructure
  New data centers and hardware

1. Microsoft Agent 365: The Control Center for AI Agents

Microsoft Agent 365 represents the central management plane for AI agents and is one of the key highlights of Ignite 2025. With organizations projected to deploy approximately 1.3 billion AI agents by 2028, the need for centralized control and governance is becoming enormously important. Without such a control body, companies could quickly be confronted with a confusing and potentially insecure agent landscape.

What is Microsoft Agent 365?

With Agent 365, Microsoft is expanding its existing infrastructure for user management specifically to include AI agents. IT administrators will have a set of tools to centrally control and protect agents in their organization. Key features include:

• Registry :Agent 365 provides a central directory for all AI agents deployed in the enterprise. The system also recognizes so-called “shadow agents” that were created by employees without IT approval. Such unauthorized agents can be specifically blocked or removed.
  
• Access Control: Each agent is given a unique identity via Microsoft Entra ID. This enables risk-based access control where agent permissions can be managed granularly.
  
• Security Integration: Integration with Microsoft Defender and Purview provides comprehensive protection against agent attacks. In addition, data access by agents is continuously monitored. A Data Loss Prevention (DLP) check for agent prompts will be available in public preview from the end of November 2025.
  
• Visualization: Dashboards allow you to monitor all agent activity. They provide insights into the interactions between people, agents, and company data, as well as the ability to track performance.

The launch of Agent 365 will initially take place as a public preview. Companies that want to take advantage of the new opportunities early on can register via the Frontier Early Access Program.

Practical relevance for administrators

Without central management and control, companies are threatened with complex and quickly uncontrollable agent landscapes. The integration of Agent 365 into the Microsoft 365 admin center gives IT teams the ability to centrally manage all agents using the tools they are used to, whether they are developed using Microsoft technologies, open source frameworks, or third-party platforms.

2. Work IQ, Foundry IQ and Fabric IQ: The intelligent knowledge system

Microsoft has introduced the so-called IQ Stack, a multi-layered knowledge architecture that aims to provide AI agents with contextual understanding. This architecture consists of several layers that map different aspects of the company’s knowledge and give agents comprehensive access to relevant information.

Work IQ: The intelligence layer behind Microsoft 365 Copilot

Work IQ is the core intelligence layer for Microsoft 365 Copilot, as well as all other agents. Work IQ works on three main pillars:

• Working data: This includes all information that arises in everyday work, such as e-mails, files, meetings and chats. This data forms the basis for knowledge about all work processes in the company.
  
• Memory: In this component, personal preferences, individual writing styles, typical work patterns and relationships between employees are stored. This allows agents to better respond to users’ needs and habits.
  
• Inference: This area includes the ability to draw contextual conclusions and make predictions about the next meaningful action. In this way, the agents can provide proactive and situation-appropriate support.

Work IQ is now also accessible via APIs. Developers thus have the opportunity to create their own agents who can access the knowledge available in the company in a targeted manner.

Foundry IQ: The central knowledge base for agents

Foundry IQ acts as the central knowledge foundation for agents. Key features include the creation of topic-based knowledge bases, as well as the ability to connect to various data sources such as SharePoint, OneLake, Azure Storage, Fabric IQ, and the web. Automatic indexing and structuring of documents ensures that relevant content can be found quickly.

Another central element is the so-called Agentic Retrieval Engine. It improves the search function by breaking down complex questions into smaller sub-questions and thus enabling more precise answers.

Fabric IQ: Connecting Data and Real-Time Decisions

With Fabric IQ, analytical, time-based and location-based data are merged with operational systems and combined under a common semantic model. This means that all company data is connected in real time, enabling both humans and AI systems to make informed decisions based on this.

In addition, Fabric IQ is fully integrated with existing Power BI data models. The availability of the solution is already secured, as Fabric IQ is now available as a preview version.

3. Microsoft 365 Copilot: New Features and Agent Modes

Last year, Microsoft introduced over 400 new features for Microsoft 365 Copilot.

As part of Ignite 2025, further significant enhancements have now been presented that significantly increase the application possibilities of Copilot once again and enable new ways of working.

Agent Mode in Office apps

The so-called Agent Mode offers Copilot the opportunity to work iteratively and multi-step on documents, spreadsheets and presentations. This makes collaboration with AI in Microsoft Office applications even more flexible and efficient.

• PowerPoint Agent Mode (Preview via the Frontier Program):
  In PowerPoint, presentations can be created and updated using company templates. The agent mode allows an iterative approach by inserting new slides, rewriting texts and adding tables. In addition, the integration of company data – such as files, meetings, e-mails – as well as from web sources is possible.
  
• Excel Agent Mode (Extended):
  In Excel, the Agent Mode has been extended with additional functions. For example, a web search is now integrated directly into Excel, and external data can be imported. Users have the option to choose between different AI models (Anthropic and OpenAI). The agent mode is available for both the web version and the desktop application.
  
• Word Agent Mode:
  In Word Agent Mode, Work IQ is used to automatically source information from internal company sources. This ensures that documents are always up to date, as Copilot accesses emails, files, and meetings.

Copilot Chat: Extended Usage Options

Copilot Chat is now available in Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint (preview until March 2026) and can also be used by users without a Microsoft 365 Copilot license. Especially in Outlook, Copilot Chat benefits from a comprehensive content awareness that includes inbox, calendar, and meetings. This enables improved triage capabilities, streamlined scheduling, and precise action recognition.

Voice Mode in Copilot

With the new Voice Mode, Microsoft 365 Copilot gets voice functionalities. Users can now communicate in natural language with Copilot, quickly get meeting updates or daily prioritizations, and capture ideas based on voice.

Teams Mode for Microsoft 365 Copilot

Another innovation is the Teams Mode, which allows collaborative use of Copilot. Individual Copilot chats can be shared with colleagues, allowing for AI-powered team-based brainstorming. You can choose which messages are shared – private prompts remain private.

New Agents

• Sales Development Agent (available from December 2025 through the Frontier Program):
  An autonomous sales agent that handles sales pipeline building, lead nurturing, and personalized outreach. Integration with Salesforce and Dynamics 365 is guaranteed.
  
• Content Governance Agent (public preview from November 2025):
  This agent enforces SharePoint governance policies, manages site lifecycles, permissions, and storage, and is powered by SharePoint Advanced Management (SAM).
  
• Channel Agent in Teams:
  The channel agent creates status reports directly in Teams channels, plans work steps in the form of workback plans, and integrates automatic tasks and due dates with the planner.

Security Copilot in Microsoft 365 E5

A significant milestone is the integration of Security Copilot into Microsoft 365 E5. For companies, there is now no need for additional licensing: the Security Copilot is included in the E5 package. It is used via a consumption model with so-called Security Compute Units (SCUs). For every 1,000 user licenses, 400 SCUs are provisioned per month (up to a maximum of 10,000 SCUs per month). Additional units can be purchased for $6 per SCU. The rollout has already started and will reach all E5 tenants in the coming months.

4. SQL Server 2025: General Availability and AI Integration

Microsoft has announced the general availability of SQL Server 2025. This is the first major release since SQL Server 2022 that brings a variety of innovative features, especially in the field of artificial intelligence.

Key innovations at a glance

Native AI integration

SQL Server 2025 now natively supports AI applications. With the new Vector Data Type, the storage and processing of vector data – including half-precision floats – is possible directly. The Vector Search function enables semantic search based on DiskANN indexing. In addition, AI models integrate seamlessly with Microsoft Foundry, Azure OpenAI, OpenAI, and Ollama. The new AI building blocks include functions such as text chunking and the creation of vector embeddings directly in T-SQL.

Improvements for developers

Developers benefit from full native JSON support, as well as the ability to call REST APIs directly from T-SQL. Regular expressions are now also available natively, which makes word processing much easier. Fuzzy String Match can be used to perform fuzzy string comparisons. In addition, the Change Event Streaming feature allows data changes to be pushed directly to Azure Event Hubs in real time.

OneLake Mirroring

Another highlight is the near-real-time mirroring of SQL Server data to OneLake. This eliminates complex ETL pipelines and keeps Fabric IQ ready for agents with up-to-date data.

Security features

Integration with Microsoft Entra ID provides a unified identity system that applies to users, agents, and data alike.

Enhancements to SQL Server Express and Standard Edition

For the Express version, the database limit has been significantly increased from 10 GB to 50 GB, which significantly expands the possible applications. The Standard Edition now receives selected features from the Enterprise Edition. This means that developers will also be able to use the Standard Edition for development purposes in the future, while the previous Developer Edition only offered the Enterprise functions.

SQL Server Management Studio 22 (SSMS 22)

At the same time as the release of SQL Server 2025, version 22 of SQL Server Management Studio was also made generally available. This release includes official support for SQL Server 2025, GitHub Copilot integration, and support for ARM64 architectures.

New Python driver for SQL Server

With the new mssql-python driver, which is now generally available, a modern and powerful connection for Python applications is available. Authentication with Entra ID is also supported.

Availability

SQL Server 2025 is available now. More than 10,000 organizations have already participated in the public preview.

5. Windows as an AI platform: Native agent infrastructure

Microsoft highlights Windows 11 as the central platform for artificial intelligence and agents. As part of Ignite 2025, several trend-setting functions were presented that significantly simplify and professionalize the development and deployment of intelligent agents on Windows.

Native Agent Infrastructure

At the heart of this strategy is the native agent infrastructure, which is specifically designed to integrate and securely operate AI agents within Windows 11. It ensures that agents can work seamlessly with the operating system and its security mechanisms.

Agent Connectors (Preview)

The Agent Connectors, currently still in the preview phase, are based on the Model Context Protocol (MCP). They offer a standardized framework that enables both first-party and third-party agents to securely connect to various apps and tools. This standardization significantly simplifies the integration of agents and at the same time increases security.

Agent Workspace (Preview)

The Agent Workspace provides an isolated, policy-driven environment in which agents can act independently and securely. Agents are each given their own identity with which they can operate software and complete tasks. Multiple agents can be run in parallel without interrupting the user’s main session. In addition, auditing and compliance controls are an integral part of the workspace to meet regulatory requirements.

Windows 365 for Agents (Preview)

Windows 365 for Agents extends agent functionality to the cloud. Agents can be deployed flexibly and at scale without sacrificing compliance or productivity.

Ask Copilot on the taskbar

The new Ask Copilot feature, currently in preview, provides a unified entry point for Microsoft 365 Copilot, agents, and search. Users can access agents directly by clicking or typing “@”. For commercial users, integration with Work IQ is also planned. The Ask Copilot feature supports both voice and text input.

Policy-Driven Control for Admins

The new infrastructure gives IT administrators comprehensive control by defining policies for agent workflow consent, control, and audit. Integration with existing Windows security mechanisms and management via Group Policies ensure consistent and secure administration.

The introduction of the agent features mentioned above will take place gradually as part of a preview phase.

6. Security innovations: Identity, Defender, Purview

Ignite 2025 brought extensive innovations in the field of security, with a particular focus on AI agents and the Zero Trust principle. The following sections highlight the most important innovations and enhancements around identity management, threat protection and data control.

Microsoft Entra Agent ID

Microsoft Entra Agent ID introduces a completely new identity system for AI agents that is considered a revolutionary security feature. It enables the assignment of real, independent identities (“first-class identities”) to AI agents, thus creating the basis for Zero Trust in autonomous systems. The system offers OAuth flows tailored specifically for agents, as well as centralized token management and an agent registry. Risk-based access controls (conditional access) further enhance security. The Entra Agent ID is also fully integrated with Microsoft Defender and Purview.

For developers, the Microsoft Agent Identity Platform is available with suitable SDKs and protocols for easy integration of agents. All agents can be efficiently managed via the central Agent Registry. In addition, new, specialized administrative roles have been introduced that enable granular control over agent identities. More than 50 new documentary articles are available at launch; the Agent ID is currently in the preview phase.

Updates for Microsoft Defender

Microsoft Defender is also getting numerous extensions. This includes native integration with Defender for Cloud and GitHub Advanced Security (Preview), allowing security teams to launch campaigns directly from GitHub. Developers benefit from the fact that they see runtime risks directly in the code, thus ensuring a continuous exchange between development and security.

In the area of serverless posture management, the monitoring functions for Azure Functions, Web Apps and AWS Lambda have been significantly expanded. In addition to detecting misconfigurations, the system now also enables the analysis of attack paths in serverless environments.

The Automatic Attack Disruption feature is now extended to AWS, Proofpoint, and Okta, enabling real-time containment of attacks across federated environments. Protection against identity and phishing attacks across different cloud providers has also been improved. The new Multicloud Asset Inventory provides a unified view of AWS, Azure, and GCP, increasing visibility across the multicloud ecosystem.

Predictive shielding is an AI-based prediction of attack movements, which makes it possible to block attack paths preventively. Deepfake Defense ensures real-time detection of AI-manipulated content.

Microsoft Purview Extensions

There are numerous enhancements in the Microsoft Purview area, especially with regard to the protection of sensitive data and transparency in AI applications. For example, Data Loss Prevention (DLP) for Copilot Prompts blocks responses from Copilot when sensitive data such as credit card numbers is detected in prompts and prevents that information from being used for grounding processes. The rollout of this feature is currently underway.

From December 2025, the public preview of AI Observability in Data Security Posture Management (DSPM) will start, enabling full visibility of agents in data environments – regardless of whether they are Microsoft or third-party agents. This supports proactive risk management.

The Content Management Assessment, which will be generally available from November 2025, enables the evaluation and improvement of content management and ensures the identification and minimization of content risks as well as compliance requirements.

Harmful Content Protection (HCP) gives administrators the ability to allow end users to disable certain content protection measures – a feature that is particularly important for emergency services and healthcare. HCP has been generally available since September 2025.

Microsoft Baseline Security Mode (BSM)

The new Microsoft Baseline Security Mode (BSM) defines a security standard for Microsoft 365. It is specifically designed to integrate with Microsoft 365, is regularly updated against the latest threats, and is easy for administrators to deploy. This further strengthens security across the Microsoft cloud platform.

7. Azure infrastructure: New data centers and hardware

Microsoft has announced significant investments in the expansion of Azure infrastructure to meet the growing demands of modern cloud and AI applications. The focus is on new features, hardware developments and a global network of data centers that provide a powerful and flexible platform for companies.

Azure Copilot Agents

Azure will be expanded with its own Copilot agents, which will make it much easier to manage the infrastructure. These agents perform automated management tasks and provide intelligent suggestions to optimize resources. Integration with existing Azure services enables organizations to run their cloud environments more efficiently and proactively.

Fairwater and Atlanta AI Superfactory

A significant milestone is the opening of the Fairwater data center in September 2025. This is considered Microsoft’s largest and most advanced AI data center to date. The global infrastructure is complemented by the new data center in Atlanta, which together with the Wisconsin site forms a global “AI Superfactory”. Technological highlights include high-density liquid cooling for efficient cooling, a flat network architecture for operating hundreds of thousands of GPUs, and a dedicated AI WAN backbone. These components enable unparalleled capacity and flexibility for AI workloads.

Azure Boost (Next Generation)

With the next generation of Azure Boost, the performance boundaries will be pushed again. The platform offers remote storage throughput of up to 20 Gbps and achieves up to 1 million IOPS. Network bandwidth increases up to 400 GBps. Offloading virtualization processes further increases application performance, which is especially beneficial for data-intensive and mission-critical workloads.

Azure Cobalt 200

Another innovation is the new ARM-based Azure Cobalt 200 CPU. It offers 50% better performance compared to the previous generation and is specifically optimized for AI and data-intensive applications. Microsoft relies on high standards of confidentiality and reliability and ensures cost-effective execution of even demanding workloads.

Foundry Control Plane

The newly launched Foundry Control Plane provides real-time agent security, comprehensive lifecycle management, and visibility across all agent platforms. It is seamlessly integrated with Agent 365 and the Microsoft Security Suite, giving organizations centralized control and monitoring of their agents.

Additionally, hosted agents and multi-agent workflows allow agents to collaborate across different frameworks or cloud infrastructures. Organizations benefit from enterprise-grade visibility and governance while maintaining existing identity controls.

Microsoft Teams: Copilot in chats, channels, and meetings

Microsoft Teams has received comprehensive integrations of the Copilot system as well as new collaboration features that make everyday work in companies much easier. At the heart of this is the unified Copilot experience available across chats, channels, and meetings. Users benefit from a consistent interface, which greatly simplifies the operation and use of AI tools.

Copilot in Teams Unified

The Copilot experience in Teams has been standardized: The AI supports users in chats as well as in channels and meetings. Copilot analyzes chat histories, meeting transcripts and calendar content, among other things. Features include smart recaps, message rewriting, and providing relevant insights and recommendations that encourage team communication and collaboration.

Teams Mode for Copilot

The so-called Teams Mode enables the sharing of Copilot within a team. Prompts and responses can be shared in a targeted and selective manner, allowing collaborative brainstorming with the help of AI. This promotes creative exchange and productivity in group work.

Channel Agent

With the new channel agent, users have automated status reports at their disposal, which can be accessed directly in the channel via @-mention. In addition, workback plans can be created in which tasks are automatically created as consecutive task sequences with due dates. Integration with Microsoft Planner ensures efficient task management and better clarity.

Post-Call Copilot Experience

After phone calls in Teams Phone, a Microsoft 365 Copilot chat is displayed as a side panel. This provides automatic summaries of the conversation, highlights key findings, and suggests next steps. The feature is available on both desktop and Teams mobile for iOS and helps users to continue working efficiently immediately after the call.

External Collaboration Enhancements (Public Preview)

External collaboration with partners, vendors, and customers has been fundamentally overhauled and improved. Now collaborating is safer and easier, with friction significantly reduced in external meetings. In addition, admin controls have been expanded so that companies can control and secure collaboration in a targeted manner.

Immersive Events with Meta Quest VR

Immersive events are now generally available in Teams (GA). They enable 3D events with avatar interaction and offer support for Meta Quest VR headsets. Participants experience full 360-degree immersion, complemented by text-to-speech and keyboard navigation. This makes virtual events even more interactive and accessible.

Other Important Announcements

Edge for Business: The first secure enterprise AI browser

Microsoft has introduced Edge for Business, the world’s first secure enterprise AI browser. This browser features a direct integration of AI capabilities optimized specifically for business applications. In addition, Edge for Business ensures a high level of enterprise-grade security, which provides optimal protection for sensitive data and work processes.

Power Platform Updates

App Builder

With the new App Builder in Power Platform, users can create and deploy apps in minutes using natural language. Low-code development is thus significantly simplified, so that even users without extensive programming knowledge can create productive applications.

Workflows Agent (via Frontier Program)

The Workflows Agent allows you to automate tasks that are either timed or event-driven. Integration with Microsoft 365 ensures that these automated workflows can be seamlessly embedded into existing infrastructure.

Fabric SQL and Cosmos DB in Fabric (GA)

Both SQL Database and Cosmos DB are now available natively in Microsoft Fabric. This allows the parallel use of transactional and NoSQL workloads within a single SaaS platform. Users benefit from a unified environment for real-time analytics, transaction processing, and AI applications.

Database Mirroring (GA)

The new Database Mirroring feature supports SQL Server, Azure Cosmos DB, and Azure Database for PostgreSQL. It enables near-real-time mirroring of databases to fabric without the need to create duplicates.

HorizonDB (Preview)

HorizonDB introduced an entirely new Azure database service. It offers a fully managed PostgreSQL service designed specifically for modern cloud applications, guaranteeing high scalability and reliability.

Windows 365 Link

The new Windows 365 Link is a $349 mini PC designed to stream the Windows operating system directly from the cloud. No local data is stored, and the device offers Instant Boot and a consistently security-focused design.

Azure CLI and PowerShell updates

Azure CLI 2.77

The current version Azure CLI 2.77 has been updated to Python 3.13 and fixes several security vulnerabilities, including issues with remote code execution and certificate validation. In addition, SSL verification has been tightened and endpoint discovery has been improved with a new ARM API.

What-If and Export Bicep Parameters (Preview)

With the new features, users can use intelligent previews of resource changes before they are executed. In addition, the export of Bicep templates is possible, and the AI-supported command interpretation makes it easier to work with complex commands.

Impact of Microsoft Ignite 2025 on IT Administrators

Microsoft Ignite 2025 represents a fundamental shift in Microsoft’s strategy, especially with regard to the use of agent-based AI and the new technologies and platforms associated with it. For IT administrators, this results in numerous challenges and opportunities that should be addressed in a targeted manner.

Agents as the future standard – central administration becomes essential

With Agent 365, Microsoft is providing a solution for the first time that makes it possible to control AI agents centrally and securely. The governance in dealing with agents, which has often been lacking in the past, is thus addressed. IT administrators are given the tools they need to control and comply with the rules on the use of agents in the company.

• Evaluation of the Frontier Early Access Program
• Planning an agent governance strategy
• Training of the teams on agent concepts

Security First – Zero Trust for AI Agents

The introduction of the Entra Agent ID is a milestone in the secure management of AI agents. Agents are treated as independent identities, can be secured with conditional access and assessed for risk.

• Review of Conditional Access Policies for Agents
• Implementing Data Loss Prevention (DLP) for Copilot Prompts
• Evaluation of Purview AI Observability

SQL Server 2025 Sets New Standards

The native integration of AI functionalities in SQL Server 2025 enables organizations to leverage AI features directly with T-SQL. This eliminates the workarounds that were previously necessary, and makes use more secure and scalable.

• Plan your migration to SQL Server 2025
• Evaluation of Vector Search and OneLake Mirroring
• Testing of the new REST API and JSON features

Microsoft 365 Copilot is evolving into a platform

Agent Mode, Teams Mode, and advanced APIs give Copilot a whole new role: a tool becomes a platform that allows companies to develop their own agents based on company knowledge.

• Rollout planning for new Copilot features
• Evaluation of Agent Mode in Office Apps
• Develop your own agents with Work IQ APIs

Security Copilot in E5 makes it easier to get started with AI-based security

With the integration of Security Copilot into Microsoft 365 E5, access to AI-powered security is massively simplified. The pay-as-you-go SCU model ensures fair and scalable billing.

• Verification of E5 licenses in the tenant
• Planning of the Security Copilot rollout
• Training of security teams

Windows as a central platform for AI agents

Windows 11 becomes the central platform for AI-supported work thanks to the native agent infrastructure. Agent Workspace and Agent Connectors enable agents to run securely and in isolation.

• Preparing the Windows 11 infrastructure
• Testing Ask Copilot on the taskbar
• Evaluation of Windows 365 for Agents

Rollout Timeline

Agent-based AI at the heart of Microsoft Ignite 2025

Microsoft Ignite 2025 has set a clear course for the coming years: Microsoft is consistently investing in agent-based artificial intelligence and developing the necessary infrastructure to operate these solutions securely, scalably, and in compliance with strict governance requirements. The focus is not only on technological innovations, but also on creating a framework that enables the responsible use of AI.

This results in a clear mandate for action, especially for IT administrators: The new technologies such as Agent 365, Entra Agent ID and the latest Copilot features require intensive examination in order to fully exploit the potential and set the course for an agent-supported working world. Now is the right time to familiarize yourself with these solutions and actively integrate them into your IT strategy.

Microsoft is thus underlining that the future of work will be significantly shaped by agent-based AI. The company provides the right tools and platforms to optimally prepare companies and their employees for this future and to successfully shape the transformation.

further links

• Microsoft Ignite 2025 Book of News
• Microsoft Ignite Sessions (On-Demand)
• SQL Server 2025 Documentation
• Microsoft Entra Agent ID Documentation
• Microsoft 365 Copilot Updates

{:}{:en}

From November 18 to 21, 2025, Microsoft Ignite took place in San Francisco, and Microsoft presented over 70 new features, products, and updates. With over 200,000 participants (17,000 on-site) and more than 400 sessions, the conference was a clear statement: The era of simple chatbots is over, the era of autonomous AI agents is beginning.

Central Themes of Ignite 2025

Ignite 2025 focused on Frontier Firms – companies that combine human leadership with AI automation. Microsoft presented an infrastructure for effectively developing, securing, and integrating AI agents into business processes.

Overview of Main Announcements

• Teams Innovations Copilot in Chats, Channels, and Meetings
• Microsoft Agent 365 The central management layer for all AI agents
• Work IQ, Foundry IQ, and Fabric IQ The intelligent knowledge system for AI
• Microsoft 365 Copilot Extensions New features and agent modes
• SQL Server 2025 GA release with integrated AI
• Windows as AI Platform Native agent infrastructure
• Security Innovations Agent ID, Defender updates, Purview extensions
• Azure Infrastructure New data centers and hardware

1. Microsoft Agent 365: The Control Center for AI Agents

Microsoft Agent 365 represents the central management layer for AI agents and is one of the most important highlights of Ignite 2025. Given the forecast that companies will deploy approximately 1.3 billion AI agents by 2028, the need for central control and governance becomes enormously important. Without such a control instance, companies could quickly be confronted with a confusing and potentially insecure agent landscape.

What is Microsoft Agent 365?

With Agent 365, Microsoft specifically extends the existing infrastructure for user management to AI agents. IT administrators receive a range of tools with which they can centrally control and protect agents in their organization. The most important functions include:

• Registry (Agent Registry): Agent 365 offers a central directory for all AI agents deployed in the company. The system also recognizes so-called “Shadow Agents” that were created by employees without IT approval. Such unauthorized agents can be specifically blocked or removed.
• Access Control: Each agent receives a unique identity via Microsoft Entra ID. This enables risk-based access control, where permissions for agents can be managed granularly.
• Security Integration: Integration with Microsoft Defender and Purview ensures comprehensive protection against attacks on agents. In addition, data access by agents is continuously monitored. DLP (Data Loss Prevention) checking for agent prompts is available as a Public Preview from late November 2025.
• Visualization: Dashboards enable monitoring of all agent activities. They provide insights into interactions between people, agents, and company data, as well as the ability to track performance.

Agent 365 launches initially as a Public Preview. Companies that want to benefit early from the new capabilities can register through the Frontier Early Access Program.

Practical Significance for Administrators

Without central management and control, companies face complex and quickly uncontrollable agent landscapes. The integration of Agent 365 into the Microsoft 365 Admin Center enables IT teams to centrally manage all agents with familiar tools – regardless of whether they were developed with Microsoft technologies, open-source frameworks, or third-party platforms.

2. Work IQ, Foundry IQ, and Fabric IQ: The Intelligent Knowledge System

Microsoft has introduced a multi-layered knowledge architecture called the IQ Stack, which aims to enable AI agents to have contextual understanding. This architecture consists of multiple layers that represent different aspects of enterprise knowledge and provide agents with comprehensive access to relevant information.

Work IQ: The Intelligence Layer Behind Microsoft 365 Copilot

Work IQ forms the central intelligence layer for Microsoft 365 Copilot and all other agents. Work IQ’s functionality is based on three essential pillars:

• Work Data: This includes all information that occurs in daily work, such as emails, files, meetings, and chats. This data forms the foundation for knowledge about all workflows in the company.
• Memory: This component stores personal preferences, individual writing styles, typical work patterns, and relationships between employees. This allows agents to better respond to users’ needs and habits.
• Inference: This area encompasses the ability to draw contextual conclusions and make predictions about the next meaningful action. This enables agents to provide proactive and context-appropriate support.

Work IQ is now also accessible via APIs. Developers thus have the ability to create their own agents that specifically access the knowledge available in the company.

Foundry IQ: The Central Knowledge Base for Agents

Foundry IQ functions as the central knowledge foundation for agents. The most important functions include creating topic-based knowledge databases and the ability to connect with various data sources such as SharePoint, OneLake, Azure Storage, Fabric IQ, and the web. Automatic indexing and structuring of documents ensures that relevant content is quickly discoverable.

Another central element is the so-called Agentic Retrieval Engine. It improves the search function by breaking down complex questions into smaller sub-questions, thus enabling more precise answers.

Fabric IQ: Linking Data and Real-Time Decisions

With Fabric IQ, analytical, time-based, and location-based data are merged with operational systems and unified under a common semantic model. This means that all company data is connected in real-time, allowing both people and AI systems to make informed decisions based on this foundation.

Additionally, Fabric IQ is fully integrable into existing Power BI data models. The availability of the solution is already secured, as Fabric IQ is available now as a preview version.

3. Microsoft 365 Copilot: New Features and Agent Modes

Over the past year, Microsoft has introduced over 400 new features for Microsoft 365 Copilot.

At Ignite 2025, further significant extensions were presented that significantly increase Copilot’s application possibilities and enable new ways of working.

Agent Mode in Office apps

The so-called Agent Mode enables Copilot to work iteratively and in multiple stages on documents, tables, and presentations. This makes collaboration with AI in Microsoft Office applications even more flexible and efficient.

• PowerPoint Agent Mode (Preview via Frontier Program):
  In PowerPoint, presentations can be created and updated using company templates. Agent Mode allows an iterative approach by inserting new slides, rewriting text, and adding tables. Integration of company data – from files, meetings, emails – as well as web sources is also possible.
• Excel Agent Mode (Extended):
  In Excel, Agent Mode has been extended with additional functions. Web search is now integrated directly in Excel, and external data can be imported. Users have the ability to choose between different AI models (Anthropic and OpenAI). Agent Mode is available for both the web version and the desktop application.
• Word Agent Mode:
  In Word Agent Mode, Work IQ is used to automatically obtain information from internal company sources. This ensures that documents always remain current, as Copilot accesses emails, files, and meetings.

Copilot Chat: Extended Usage Possibilities

Copilot Chat is now available in Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint (Preview until March 2026) and can also be used by users without a Microsoft 365 Copilot license. Especially in Outlook, Copilot Chat benefits from comprehensive content awareness that includes inbox, calendar, and meetings. This enables improved triage functions, optimized scheduling, and precise action recognition.

Voice Mode in Copilot

With the new Voice Mode, Microsoft 365 Copilot receives voice functionalities. Users can now communicate with Copilot in natural language, quickly retrieve meeting updates or daily priorities, and capture ideas voice-based.

Teams Mode for Microsoft 365 Copilot

Another innovation is Teams Mode, which allows collaborative use of Copilot. Individual Copilot chats can be shared with colleagues, making team-based brainstorming with AI support possible. Users can select which messages to share – private prompts remain private.

New Agents

• Sales Development Agent (available from December 2025 via Frontier Program):
  An autonomous sales agent that handles building sales pipelines, lead nurturing, and personalized outreach. Integration with Salesforce and Dynamics 365 is ensured.
  
• Content Governance Agent (Public Preview from November 2025):
  This agent enforces SharePoint governance policies, manages site lifecycles, permissions, and storage, and is operated via SharePoint Advanced Management (SAM).
  
• Channel Agent in Teams:
  The Channel Agent creates status reports directly in Teams channels, plans work steps in the form of workback plans, and integrates automatic tasks and due dates with Planner.

Security Copilot in Microsoft 365 E5

A significant milestone is the integration of Security Copilot into Microsoft 365 E5. Companies no longer need additional licensing: Security Copilot is included in the E5 package. Usage is based on a consumption model with so-called Security Compute Units (SCUs). Per 1,000 user licenses, 400 SCUs are provided monthly (maximum 10,000 SCUs monthly). Additional units can be purchased for $6 per SCU. The rollout has already started and will reach all E5 tenants in the coming months.

4. SQL Server 2025: General Availability and AI Integration

Microsoft has announced the general availability of SQL Server 2025. This is the first major release since SQL Server 2022, bringing a multitude of innovative features, particularly in the area of artificial intelligence.

Key Innovations at a Glance

Native AI integration

SQL Server 2025 now natively supports AI applications. With the new Vector Data Type, storage and processing of vector data – including half-precision floats – is directly possible. The Vector Search function enables semantic search based on DiskANN indexing. Furthermore, AI models can be seamlessly integrated with Microsoft Foundry, Azure OpenAI, OpenAI, and Ollama. New AI building blocks include functions like Text Chunking and creating vector embeddings directly in T-SQL.

Developer Improvements

Developers benefit from full native JSON support and the ability to call REST APIs directly from T-SQL. Regular expressions are now also natively available, significantly facilitating text processing. With Fuzzy String Match, fuzzy string comparisons can be performed. Additionally, the Change Event Streaming function enables data changes to be transmitted in real-time directly to Azure Event Hubs.

OneLake Mirroring

Another highlight is the near real-time mirroring of SQL Server data to OneLake. This eliminates complex ETL pipelines, and Fabric IQ always has current data available for agents.

Security Features

Integration with Microsoft Entra ID provides a unified identity system that applies equally to users, agents, and data.

Enhancements to SQL Server Express and Standard Edition

For the Express variant, the database limit was significantly increased from 10 GB to 50 GB, greatly expanding usage possibilities. The Standard Edition now receives selected features from the Enterprise Edition. This means developers can now use the Standard Edition for development purposes, while the previous Developer Edition exclusively offered Enterprise features.

SQL Server Management Studio 22 (SSMS 22)

Simultaneously with the release of SQL Server 2025, version 22 of SQL Server Management Studio was also made generally available. This version offers official support for SQL Server 2025, GitHub Copilot integration, and support for ARM64 architectures.

New Python Driver for SQL Server

With the new mssql-python Driver, now generally available, a modern and powerful connection for Python applications is available. Authentication with Entra ID is also supported.

Availability

SQL Server 2025 is available now. More than 10,000 organizations have already participated in the Public Preview.

5. Windows as AI Platform: Native Agent Infrastructure

Microsoft emphasizes Windows 11 as the central platform for artificial intelligence and agents. At Ignite 2025, several groundbreaking features were presented that significantly simplify and professionalize the development and deployment of intelligent agents on Windows.

Native Agent Infrastructure

The core of this strategy is the native agent infrastructure, specifically designed for the integration and secure operation of AI agents within Windows 11. It ensures that agents can seamlessly collaborate with the operating system and its security mechanisms.

Agent Connectors (Preview)

The Agent Connectors, currently still in preview, are based on the Model Context Protocol (MCP). They offer a standardized framework that enables both first-party and third-party agents to securely connect to various apps and tools. This standardization significantly simplifies agent integration while increasing security.

Agent Workspace (Preview)

The Agent Workspace provides an isolated, policy-driven environment in which agents can act independently and securely. Agents each receive their own identity with which they can operate software and complete tasks. Parallel execution of multiple agents is possible without interrupting the user’s main session. Additionally, auditing and compliance controls are an integral part of the workspace to meet regulatory requirements.

Windows 365 for Agents (Preview)

Windows 365 for Agents extends agent functionality to the cloud. Agents can thus be deployed flexibly and scalably without compromising compliance or productivity.

Ask Copilot on the taskbar

The new Ask Copilot function, currently available in preview, provides a unified entry point for Microsoft 365 Copilot, agents, and search. Users can access agents directly by clicking or entering “@”. Integration with Work IQ is also planned for commercial users. The Ask Copilot function supports both voice and text inputs.

Policy-Driven Control for Admins

IT administrators receive comprehensive control capabilities with the new infrastructure: They can define policies for consent, control, and audit of agent workflows. Integration with existing Windows security mechanisms and management via Group Policies ensure consistent and secure administration.

The introduction of the mentioned agent features occurs gradually in a preview phase.

6. Security Innovations: Identity, Defender, Purview

Ignite 2025 brought comprehensive innovations in the security area, with a particular focus on AI agents and the Zero Trust principle. The following sections highlight the most important innovations and extensions around identity management, threat protection, and data control.

Microsoft Entra Agent ID

Microsoft Entra Agent ID introduces a completely new identity system for AI agents, considered a revolutionary security feature. It enables the assignment of real, independent identities (“First-Class Identities”) for AI agents, thus creating the foundation for Zero Trust in autonomous systems. The system offers OAuth flows specifically tailored to agents, central token management, and an Agent Registry. Security is further enhanced through risk-based access controls (Conditional Access). Entra Agent ID is also fully integrated into Microsoft Defender and Purview.

For developers, the Microsoft Agent Identity Platform is available with appropriate SDKs and protocols for easy agent integration. All agents can be efficiently managed via the central Agent Registry. Additionally, new specialized administrative roles have been introduced that enable granular control over agent identities. At launch, over 50 new documentation articles are available; Agent ID is currently in the preview phase.

Updates for Microsoft Defender

Microsoft Defender also receives numerous extensions. These include native integration of Defender for Cloud and GitHub Advanced Security (Preview), allowing security teams to launch campaigns directly in GitHub. Developers benefit from seeing runtime risks directly in code, ensuring continuous exchange between development and security.

In the area of Serverless Posture Management, monitoring functions for Azure Functions, Web Apps, and AWS Lambda have been significantly expanded. In addition to detecting misconfigurations, the system now also enables analysis of attack paths in serverless environments.

The “Automatic Attack Disruption” function is now extended to AWS, Proofpoint, and Okta, enabling real-time containment of attacks across federated environments. Protection against identity and phishing attacks across various cloud providers has also been improved. The new Multicloud Asset Inventory provides a unified overview of AWS, Azure, and GCP, thus increasing transparency in multicloud environments.

Predictive Shielding introduces AI-based prediction of attack movements, enabling preventive blocking of attack paths. Deepfake Defense provides real-time detection of AI-manipulated content.

Microsoft Purview Extensions

In the Microsoft Purview area, there are numerous extensions, particularly regarding the protection of sensitive data and transparency in AI applications. Data Loss Prevention (DLP) for Copilot Prompts, for example, blocks Copilot responses when sensitive data like credit card numbers are detected in prompts and prevents this information from being used for grounding processes. The rollout of this function is currently ongoing.

Starting December 2025, the Public Preview of AI Observability in Data Security Posture Management (DSPM) begins, providing full transparency over agents in data environments – regardless of whether they are Microsoft or third-party agents. This supports proactive risk management.

Content Management Assessment, generally available from November 2025, enables evaluation and improvement of content management, ensures identification and minimization of content risks, and compliance with regulatory requirements.

With Harmful Content Protection (HCP), administrators receive the ability to allow end users to disable certain content protection measures – a feature that is particularly important for emergency responders and healthcare. HCP has been generally available since September 2025.

Microsoft Baseline Security Mode (BSM)

The new Microsoft Baseline Security Mode (BSM) defines a security standard for Microsoft 365. It is specifically developed for integration with Microsoft 365, is regularly updated with protections against current threats, and is easy for administrators to implement. This further strengthens security across the entire Microsoft cloud platform.

7. Azure Infrastructure: New Data Centers and Hardware

Microsoft has announced significant investments in expanding Azure infrastructure to meet the growing demands of modern cloud and AI applications. The focus is on new features, hardware developments, and a global network of data centers that provide a powerful and flexible platform for enterprises.

Azure Copilot Agents

Azure is being extended with its own Copilot agents that significantly simplify infrastructure management. These agents take over automated management tasks and provide intelligent suggestions for resource optimization. Integration with existing Azure services ensures that companies can operate their cloud environments more efficiently and proactively.

Fairwater and Atlanta AI Superfactory

A significant milestone is the opening of the Fairwater data center in September 2025. This is considered Microsoft’s largest and most advanced AI data center to date. The global infrastructure is complemented by the new data center in Atlanta, which together with the Wisconsin location forms a global “AI Superfactory”. Technological highlights include High-Density Liquid Cooling for efficient cooling, a Flat Network Architecture for operating hundreds of thousands of GPUs, and a dedicated AI WAN Backbone. These components enable unparalleled capacity and flexibility for AI workloads.

Azure Boost (Next Generation)

The next generation of Azure Boost pushes performance limits once again. The platform offers Remote Storage Throughput of up to 20 GBps and reaches up to 1 million IOPS. Network bandwidth increases to up to 400 GBps. Offloading virtualization processes further increases application performance, which is particularly advantageous for data-intensive and mission-critical workloads.

Azure Cobalt 200

Another innovation is the new ARM-based CPU Azure Cobalt 200. It offers 50% better performance compared to the previous generation and is specifically optimized for AI and data-intensive applications. Microsoft adheres to high standards regarding confidentiality and reliability and ensures cost-efficient execution of even demanding workloads.

Foundry Control Plane

The newly introduced Foundry Control Plane offers real-time security functions for agents, comprehensive lifecycle management, and transparency across all agent platforms. It is seamlessly integrated into Agent 365 and the Microsoft Security Suite, giving companies central control and monitoring of their agents.

Additionally, Hosted Agents and Multi-Agent Workflows enable agents to collaborate across different frameworks or cloud infrastructures. Companies benefit from Enterprise-Grade Visibility and Governance, while existing identity controls remain in place.

Microsoft Teams: Copilot in Chats, Channels and Meetings

Microsoft Teams has received comprehensive integrations of the Copilot system as well as new collaboration features that significantly facilitate everyday work in companies. At the center is the unified Copilot experience, available in chats, channels, and meetings. Users benefit from a consistent interface, greatly simplifying the operation and use of AI tools.

Copilot in Teams Unified

The Copilot experience in Teams has been unified: AI supports users in chats, channels, and meetings. Copilot analyzes chat histories, meeting transcripts, and calendar content. Functions include intelligent summaries (“Smart Recaps”), message rewriting, and providing relevant insights and recommendations that promote team communication and collaboration.

Teams Mode for Copilot

The so-called Teams Mode enables shared use of Copilot within a team. Prompts and responses can be shared selectively and specifically, making collaborative brainstorming with AI support possible. This promotes creative exchange and productivity in group work.

Channel Agent

With the new Channel Agent, users have access to automated status reports that can be retrieved directly in the channel via @-mention. Additionally, Workback Plans can be created, where tasks are automatically created as sequential task sequences with due dates. Integration with Microsoft Planner ensures efficient task management and better overview.

Post-Call Copilot Experience

After phone calls in Teams Phone, a Microsoft 365 Copilot Chat is displayed as a Side Panel. This provides automatic conversation summaries, highlights important insights, and suggests next steps. The function is available on both desktop and Teams Mobile for iOS and supports users in efficiently continuing work directly after the call.

External Collaboration Enhancements (Public Preview)

External collaboration with partners, vendors, and customers has been fundamentally revised and improved. Joint work with external parties is now safer and easier, with friction in external meetings significantly reduced. Additionally, admin controls have been expanded, allowing companies to specifically control and secure collaboration.

Immersive Events with Meta Quest VR

Immersive Events are now generally available (GA) in Teams. They enable 3D events with avatar interaction and offer support for Meta Quest VR headsets. Participants experience complete 360-degree immersion, complemented by text-to-speech and keyboard navigation. This makes virtual events even more interactive and accessible.

Other Important Announcements

Edge for Business: The First Secure Enterprise AI Browser

Microsoft has introduced Edge for Business, the world’s first secure Enterprise AI Browser. This browser is characterized by direct integration of AI functions specifically optimized for business applications. Additionally, Edge for Business ensures a high level of enterprise-grade security, optimally protecting sensitive data and work processes.

Power Platform Updates

App Builder

With the new App Builder in the Power Platform, users can create and deploy apps within minutes using natural language. Low-code development is thereby significantly simplified, allowing even users without extensive programming knowledge to create productive applications.

Workflows Agent (via Frontier Program)

The Workflows Agent enables automation of tasks that run either time-triggered or event-triggered. Integration into Microsoft 365 ensures that these automated workflows are seamlessly embedded into existing infrastructure.

Fabric SQL and Cosmos DB in Fabric (GA)

Both SQL Database and Cosmos DB are now natively available in Microsoft Fabric. This allows parallel use of transactional and NoSQL workloads within a single SaaS platform. Users benefit from a unified environment for Real-Time Analytics, transaction processing, and AI applications.

Database Mirroring (GA)

The new Database Mirroring function supports SQL Server, Azure Cosmos DB, and Azure Database for PostgreSQL. It enables near real-time mirroring of databases to Fabric without creating duplicates.

HorizonDB (Preview)

HorizonDB introduces a completely new Azure database service. It offers a fully managed PostgreSQL service specifically developed for modern cloud applications and guarantees high scalability and reliability.

Windows 365 Link

The new Windows 365 Link is a mini PC priced at $349, designed to stream the Windows operating system directly from the cloud. No local data is stored, and the device offers Instant Boot and a consistently security-focused design.

Azure CLI and PowerShell Updates

Azure CLI 2.77

The current version Azure CLI 2.77 has been updated to Python 3.13 and fixes several security vulnerabilities, including issues with Remote Code Execution and certificate validation. Additionally, SSL verification has been tightened and endpoint discovery improved through a new ARM API.

What-If and Export Bicep Parameters (Preview)

With the new functions, users can use intelligent previews of resource changes before execution. Additionally, export of Bicep templates is possible, and AI-assisted command interpretation facilitates working with complex commands.

Impact of Microsoft Ignite 2025 on IT Administrators

Microsoft Ignite 2025 represents a fundamental shift in Microsoft’s strategy, particularly regarding the deployment of agent-based AI and associated new technologies and platforms. For IT administrators, this results in numerous challenges and opportunities that should be specifically addressed.

Agents as Future Standard – Central Management Becomes Essential

With Agent 365, Microsoft provides for the first time a solution that enables central and secure control of AI agents. The previously often lacking governance in dealing with agents is thus addressed. IT administrators receive the necessary tools to manage agent deployment in the organization in a controlled and compliant manner.

• Evaluation of the Frontier Early Access Program
• Planning an agent governance strategy
• Training teams on agent concepts

Security First – Zero Trust for AI Agents

The introduction of Entra Agent ID is a milestone in secure management of AI agents. Agents are treated as independent identities, can be secured with Conditional Access, and assessed for risks.

• Review of Conditional Access Policies for agents
• Implementation of Data Loss Prevention (DLP) for Copilot Prompts
• Evaluation of Purview AI Observability

SQL Server 2025 Sets New Standards

The native integration of AI functionalities in SQL Server 2025 enables companies to use AI features directly with T-SQL. This eliminates previously necessary workarounds, and usage becomes more secure and scalable.

• Planning migration to SQL Server 2025
• Evaluation of Vector Search and OneLake Mirroring
• Testing new REST API and JSON features

Microsoft 365 Copilot Evolves into a Platform

Copilot receives a completely new role through Agent Mode, Teams Mode, and extended APIs: A tool becomes a platform that enables companies to develop their own agents based on enterprise knowledge.

• Rollout planning for new Copilot features
• Evaluation of Agent Mode in Office apps
• Development of custom agents with Work IQ APIs

Security Copilot in E5 Facilitates Entry into AI-Based Security

The integration of Security Copilot into Microsoft 365 E5 massively simplifies access to AI-supported security. The usage-based SCU model ensures fair and scalable billing.

• Review of E5 licenses in the tenant
• Planning Security Copilot rollout
• Training security teams

Windows as Central Platform for AI Agents

Windows 11 becomes the central platform for AI-assisted work through native agent infrastructure. Agent Workspace and Agent Connectors enable secure and isolated execution of agents.

• Preparation of Windows 11 infrastructure
• Testing Ask Copilot on the taskbar
• Evaluation of Windows 365 for Agents

Rollout Timeline

Agent-Based AI at the Center of Microsoft Ignite 2025

Microsoft Ignite 2025 has set a clear course for the coming years: Microsoft is consistently investing in agent-based artificial intelligence and developing the necessary infrastructure to operate these solutions securely, scalably, and in compliance with strict governance requirements. The focus is not only on technological innovations, but also on creating a framework that enables responsible use of AI.

For IT administrators in particular, this results in a clear mandate: The new technologies like Agent 365, Entra Agent ID, and the latest Copilot features require intensive examination to fully exploit the potential and set the course for an agent-supported work environment. Now is the right time to familiarize yourself with these solutions and actively integrate them into your own IT strategy.

Microsoft thus emphasizes that the future of work will be significantly shaped by agent-based AI. The company provides the appropriate tools and platforms to optimally prepare companies and their employees for this future and successfully shape the transformation.

Additional Links

• Microsoft Ignite 2025 Book of News
• Microsoft Ignite Sessions (On-Demand)
• SQL Server 2025 Documentation
• Microsoft Entra Agent ID Documentation
• Microsoft 365 Copilot Updates

{:}