Everyone has heard about AI assistants. Now it's time to explore the next evolution: AI agents.
In this interactive buildalong session, you'll learn what agents are, how they differ from assistants, and why they're rapidly becoming one of the most important developments in AI. We'll demystify the journey from simple retrieval-based experiences through to autonomous agents that can reason, act, and deliver outcomes.
You'll see a real-world example of an AI agent in action before building your own business-focused agent alongside us using Microsoft's Agent Builder.
No coding experience. No technical background. No agent-building knowledge required.
Whether you're in business, sales, operations, marketing, HR, or IT, you'll leave with a working agent and the confidence to start creating your own. If you've ever wondered whether agent building is something only developers can do, this session will prove otherwise.
What we'll cover:
AI Assistants vs AI Agents: what's the difference?
Understanding the agent spectrum: from retrieval to autonomy
A real-world agent example: Ali's Gardening Agent, powered by weather, Gardener's world and RHS data
A step-by-step buildalong where everyone creates a simple Copilot agent
Next steps and how to continue your journey through our full-day Agentathons
Who should attend? Anyone curious about AI agents, regardless of technical experience. If you can use a web browser, you can build an agent.
What to bring? Just your laptop, with Copilot Chat (Free) set up and ready to use. Go to https://m365.cloud.microsoft/chat and login with a M365 Business account to get access.
Takeaway: You'll leave with a working AI agent and a practical understanding of how easy it is to get started.
