GitHub presents a demo-driven walkthrough from Amanda Silver, Rong Lu, and Shayne Boyer, exploring how developers can build scalable intelligent apps and multi-agent workflows using VS Code, GitHub Copilot, Agent Framework, and Azure AI Foundry.

Building Scalable AI Apps and Agents with VS Code, GitHub Copilot, and Agent Framework

Presented by: Amanda Silver, Rong Lu, Shayne Boyer (Microsoft)
Event: GitHub Universe 2025

Overview

This session demonstrates a modern AI-powered developer workflow using VS Code, GitHub Copilot, AI Toolkit, and the open-source Agent Framework. The presenters walk through:

  • Turning GitHub Copilot and the AI Toolkit into a flexible AI development workbench
  • Using Spec Kit for spec-driven development to move from requirements to working code
  • Building and orchestrating intelligent AI agents that scale
  • Deploying multi-agent workflows to Azure AI Foundry with built-in observability, tracing, and safety
  • Managing live site operations such as incident response with Azure SRE agents

Key Demos and Highlights

1. Spec-Driven App Development

  • Begin with high-level specifications, leveraging Spec Kit to automate code generation and ensure the implementation matches business requirements.
  • Demonstrates the iterative process from initial spec to production-level code using VS Code and Copilot.

2. Adding Intelligence: Building and Automating AI Agents

  • Use the AI Toolkit to architect, implement, and automate AI-powered agents that adapt to developer workflows.
  • Walkthrough of integrating GitHub Copilot to assist with agent behavior creation and task automation.

3. Multi-Agent Orchestration

  • Demo of orchestrating complex workflows involving multiple cooperating AI agents using the Agent Framework.
  • Showcases best practices for communication, coordination, and scaling within multi-agent systems.

4. Operations and Observability

  • How to deploy these intelligent apps and agent workflows to Azure AI Foundry, incorporating tools for observability and tracing.
  • Segment on operationalizing AI: managing incidents using the Azure SRE agent, automating incident response for live systems.

5. Security and Scalability

  • Patterns and guidance for building secure, scalable intelligent applications (including built-in safety and tracing mechanisms).
  • Advice for shipping robust solutions from first commit to production.

Takeaways

  • Real-world patterns for integrating AI into developer workflows
  • Step-by-step demos illustrating end-to-end development, deployment, and operations
  • Guidance on using Microsoft and GitHub developer tools for AI-powered apps and agent orchestration
  • Emphasis on security, scalability, and reliability across the software lifecycle

Resources

About the Speakers

  • Amanda Silver – CVP, Apps & Agents + 1ES GM, Microsoft
  • Rong Lu – Principal Manager, Microsoft
  • Shayne Boyer – Principal Program Manager, Microsoft

For more sessions and resources, visit GitHub Universe.