Microsoft has launched Azure Foundry, a new platform that enables businesses to create custom AI agents using a diverse range of models, contributing to a total of over 1,900 AI models available on Azure.

During the Build developer conference in Seattle on May 19, 2025, Microsoft announced the integration of AI models from xAI, Meta, and various European startups into its Azure platform.

As part of this initiative, Microsoft will provide managed access to Grok, an AI model developed by Elon Musk's startup xAI.

The new offerings include Grok 3, Grok 3 Mini, and Meta's Llama, all available to Azure customers with service guarantees similar to those of OpenAI.

Billing for these models will be handled directly by Microsoft, aligning with the management of other models hosted in Azure AI Foundry.

The Grok 3 models in Azure are designed to be more secure and controlled compared to those available on the social media platform X.

Azure's Grok models also provide enhanced data integration, customization, and governance features that are not available through xAI's API.

Asha Sharma, Microsoft’s corporate vice president for AI platforms, confirmed the company's intention to continually add popular models and emphasized the importance of cross-model functionality for developers.

In a bid to broaden its AI partnerships, Microsoft is moving beyond its strong ties with OpenAI to include a wider array of AI developers, enhancing cost management and service diversity.

CEO Satya Nadella expressed enthusiasm for the ability to mix and match different AI models, which will significantly enhance the capabilities available to developers.

To facilitate the integration and operation of AI agents within corporate systems, Microsoft is implementing digital identifiers for these agents, similar to human employees.

An updated version of GitHub Copilot was introduced, which can autonomously write code based on high-level instructions, prompting developers to review the outcomes.