Microsoft Build 2026: Unmetered Intelligence and the Agent Era

This session outlines Microsoft's comprehensive strategy for the agent era, emphasizing 'unmetered intelligence' that leverages local compute on the edge alongside scalable cloud infrastructure. It details the new AI stack, including hardware innovations, enterprise-grade security, and tools designed to help developers build, govern, and deploy autonomous agents across Windows, Azure, and Microsoft 365.

■ Edge Computing and Hardware Innovation
- Surface RTX Spark DevBox and Surface Ultra devices with unified memory and local AI capabilities
- Project Solaro: New form factors like stationary and wearable devices for agent-first experiences
- Collaboration with NVIDIA on silicon and system design for local and cloud AI

■ Cloud Infrastructure and Foundry Platform
- Azure data center innovations including Fairwater and Cobalt VMs for agent workloads
- Microsoft IQ layer integrating Web IQ, Fabric IQ, and Work IQ for grounded context
- Foundry as a full application platform for long-running agents with built-in safety and governance

■ Developer Tools and Security
- GitHub Copilot app with Canvas UI and Rayfin SDK for backend-as-a-service
- Microsoft Execution Containers (MXC) for secure, isolated agent runtime on Windows
- Open Claw integration with sandboxing and Agent 365 for enterprise control planes

■ MAI Models and Frontier Tuning
- Release of seven new models including MAI Thinking One and MAI Code 1 Flash
- Frontier Tuning allowing organizations to create custom hill-climbing machines for their data
- Partnerships with Mayo Clinic and Microsoft Discovery for scientific and healthcare applications

■ Quantum Computing Progress
- Announcement of Majorana 2 qubits with significantly improved stability and lifetime
- Roadmap for scalable quantum computers powered by atom computers in Q4

Developers, IT professionals, and enterprise leaders will gain insight into how to integrate autonomous agents into their workflows securely and efficiently, leveraging both local and cloud resources to drive productivity and innovation.