Summary
Microsoft Build 2024 ran May 21–23 in Seattle. Microsoft brought GPT-4o to Azure and updated Copilot, Azure AI Search, and Fabric. Build also included new developer tools. Microsoft introduced Copilot+ PCs at a separate event on May 20, the day before Build.
Introduction
Build took place at the Seattle Convention Center. Microsoft also offered online sessions. Microsoft reported 200,000 registrations and expected about 4,000 attendees in Seattle. The event focused on AI, cloud services, and developer tools. Some announcements described tools ready for customers. Others covered early versions still being tested. See Microsoft’s 2024 Book of News for the full announcement list.
Microsoft Build 2024 announcements
Copilot and AI tools
Microsoft opened GitHub Copilot extensions to selected developers for testing. The extensions connect Copilot Chat to Azure, Docker, and Sentry. Build also brought GitHub Copilot to Visual Studio 17.10 for customers.
New AI helpers in Copilot Studio entered early testing. Microsoft said they could run long business tasks. They could use company data and ask a person for help.
Microsoft announced Team Copilot for Teams, Loop, and Planner. Microsoft planned a customer test for later in 2024. Team Copilot could manage meeting agendas, take notes, and track tasks. It could also alert people when a project needed their input.
Azure and data
Developers could use OpenAI’s GPT-4o through Azure AI Studio and the Azure OpenAI API. APIs let software connect to online services. Microsoft also opened the Assistants API to Azure OpenAI customers. It previewed GPT-4 fine-tuning for organizations.
Azure AI Search improved vector and hybrid search. Vector search finds results based on meaning, while hybrid search also matches keywords. Microsoft added new data connections and a OneLake connector. It also improved tools that prepare data for AI search. These updates help developers build AI search systems. They can find company information before a model answers.
Microsoft previewed Real-Time Intelligence in Fabric. Teams could use low-code tools or code to analyze live data.
Azure Functions lets developers run code without managing servers. At Build, Microsoft introduced a Flex Consumption plan for early testing. It gave users more choices for computing power and network connections. Azure Functions on Azure Container Apps became available to customers. An Azure OpenAI extension for Functions remained in early testing.
Microsoft announced two Azure virtual machine updates. A virtual machine is a computer that runs as software on a physical server. Cobalt 100 VMs use Arm processors. Microsoft previewed them for general computing and cloud apps. ND MI300X v5 VMs became available to customers. They can run AI and other demanding tasks.
Developer tools
The .NET Aspire toolkit became available to customers. It helps teams build apps for online servers and connect their services. Microsoft previewed .NET 9 and C# 13, a programming language. It also updated the tools that support .NET apps.
Windows Copilot Runtime is a set of tools for adding AI functions to Windows apps. Its Copilot Library gave developers APIs for more than 40 models that run on Windows devices.
Copilot+ PCs announced before Build
Microsoft introduced Copilot+ PCs at a separate event on May 20, one day before Build. The first models used Qualcomm Snapdragon X Plus or X Elite processors. They also had neural processing units, chips built to handle AI tasks on the PC. The Surface Pro 11 and Surface Laptop 7 were part of this first group. Read Microsoft’s Copilot+ PC announcement.
Education and accessibility
Microsoft and Khan Academy announced a partnership. U.S. teachers in grades K–12 would get free access to Khanmigo for Teachers, which runs on Azure. The companies also planned to bring Khan Academy lessons to Copilot and Teams.
Microsoft said Edge would soon translate videos in real time. It could add dubbed audio or subtitles to videos on selected sites.
Build 2024 for entrepreneurs
Build 2024 covered Microsoft’s new tools and updates. See our complete guide to AI tools for entrepreneurs for more options.
FAQ
When was Microsoft Build 2024?
Microsoft Build 2024 ran May 21–23, 2024. The event took place at the Seattle Convention Center, and people could also join online.
What were the main Microsoft Build 2024 announcements?
Microsoft added GPT-4o to Azure and updated Copilot, Azure AI Search, and Fabric. It also introduced Team Copilot and new developer tools. Microsoft announced Azure virtual machines. It introduced Copilot+ PCs separately on May 20.
Is this article about the latest Microsoft Build conference?
No. This article covers Microsoft Build 2024. Check Microsoft’s official Build site for newer conference news.
