Microsoft AutoGen / Semantic Kernel

multi-agent framework

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Mar 2026

Assess

In October 2025, Microsoft merged two previously separate frameworks — AutoGen (multi-agent research platform) and Semantic Kernel (enterprise LLM SDK) — into a unified Microsoft Agent Framework. It reached Release Candidate (rc5) on March 20, 2026, with GA targeted for end of Q1 2026.

Buy vs Build

This is a build framework with a strong buy story if your organisation is on Azure. The managed hosting, enterprise SLAs, and Azure integrations are the "buy" angle — you're buying reliability and compliance, not avoiding code.

Why It's in Assess

The unified framework is promising, but it is still in Release Candidate as of late March 2026 — GA is expected imminently (Microsoft confirmed "end of March" target). There is limited production track record outside of Microsoft-aligned teams. The strong case for it is specific: if you're a .NET shop or an Azure-committed enterprise, this is now the obvious choice.

AutoGen brought: event-driven multi-agent orchestration, async execution, human-in-the-loop patterns, production use at Novo Nordisk and other enterprises

Semantic Kernel brought: production-grade LLM SDK, C#/Python/Java support, deep Azure OpenAI integration, plugin architecture

Combined, you get:

Multi-language support (C#, Python, Java) — uniquely valuable for heterogeneous enterprise stacks
Native Azure integration (Azure OpenAI, Azure AI Search, Azure Functions)
Production SLAs with Microsoft support
Compliance features important in regulated industries

When to Choose It

Your engineering team writes C# or .NET
You're committed to Azure infrastructure
You need Microsoft support SLAs
You're in a regulated industry where Microsoft's compliance certifications matter (HIPAA, SOC 2, ISO 27001)

When to Choose Something Else

Python-only stack: LangGraph or CrewAI have more ecosystem momentum
Not on Azure: The Azure integration is the key value prop; outside Azure, you lose most of the "buy" benefits
Greenfield project: Less documentation and community answers than LangGraph/CrewAI at this point

Key Characteristics

Property	Value
Languages	C#, Python, Java
License	MIT
Hosted option	Azure AI Foundry (managed)
Provider	Microsoft