Build 2025 Preview: What to Expect from Microsoft's Developer Conference

Microsoft Build 2025 is approaching. Here’s what developers should expect and prepare for.

Expected Announcements

Azure AI Platform

Based on recent trends, expect major updates to:

• Azure AI Foundry - Enhanced agent capabilities and easier deployment
• Azure OpenAI Service - New models and features
• Copilot Studio - Enterprise customization improvements
• Semantic Kernel - Major version release with new capabilities

Windows AI

Windows AI features expected to expand:

• NPU APIs - Broader hardware support and capabilities
• Windows Copilot - Deeper OS integration
• Dev Home AI - AI-assisted development workflows
• DirectML - Performance improvements for on-device AI

Developer Tools

Visual Studio and VS Code enhancements:

# Expected: Enhanced GitHub Copilot integration

# More intelligent code completion
def process_data(data: pd.DataFrame) -> pd.DataFrame:
    # Copilot understands your data schema and suggests:
    # - Appropriate transformations
    # - Error handling patterns
    # - Performance optimizations
    pass

# Agent mode for complex refactoring
# @copilot: Refactor this module to use async/await patterns
# Copilot analyzes entire codebase and creates multi-file PR

# Integrated debugging with AI explanations
# Breakpoint hit -> Copilot explains state and suggests fixes

How to Prepare

1. Learn Current Capabilities

Understand existing tools deeply before new features arrive:

• Azure AI Foundry SDK
• Semantic Kernel
• Copilot extensibility

2. Build Proof of Concepts

Have working prototypes ready to upgrade:

• Agent-based applications
• RAG implementations
• Custom Copilot extensions

3. Review Architecture

Ensure your architecture can adopt new capabilities:

• Modular agent design
• Abstracted AI service calls
• Feature flag infrastructure

Build 2025 will likely be the most AI-focused Build ever. Prepare to learn and adapt quickly.