Microsoft Events presents an expert session led by Pamela Fox and Matthew Gotteiner, offering step-by-step demos and guidance for building advanced retrieval agents using Azure AI Search and integrating diverse knowledge sources.

Build Agents with Knowledge, Agentic RAG, and Azure AI Search

Speakers: Pamela Fox, Matthew Gotteiner Event: Microsoft Ignite 2025 (Session BRK193)

Learn how to create advanced AI agents with cutting-edge features in Azure AI Search. This session is designed for developers and technical practitioners who want to:

  • Connect agentic retrieval engines to new knowledge sources, including SharePoint, web content, and Azure Blob Storage
  • Leverage hybrid search methods and reciprocal rank fusion for optimal relevance
  • Apply the Semantic Ranker in AI Search to improve search result quality
  • Understand and implement indexed vs remote knowledge source integration
  • Optimize query planning and knowledge source selection
  • Use iterative retrieval strategies for complex, multi-query scenarios
  • See code-focused walkthroughs and demos of setting up and refining RAG solutions

Session Highlights

  • Connecting to Diverse Knowledge Sources:
    • How to link your agent to SharePoint, web content via Bing, and Azure Blob
  • Hybrid Search and Reciprocal Rank Fusion:
    • Techniques to blend multiple search signals for more robust retrieval
  • Enhanced Retrieval Flow:
    • End-to-end walkthrough of hybrid search pipeline and semantic ranking
  • Query Planning and Answer Generation:
    • Strategies to select and sequence knowledge sources for best results
    • Multi-stage retrieval to refine queries and answers
  • Code Samples and Step-by-Step Demos:
    • Practical coding examples and workflow guides

Resources

For more sessions and technical deep-dives from Microsoft Ignite, visit the event hub linked above.

Chapters

  • 0:00 – Introduction and Overview
  • 10:34 – Hybrid Search and Reciprocal Rank Fusion
  • 12:45 – Semantic Ranker in AI Search
  • 14:10 – Complete Hybrid Search Flow
  • 18:49 – Knowledge Sources & SharePoint Integration
  • 27:21 – Knowledge Source Selection & Query Planning
  • 31:08 – Web Knowledge Sources with Bing
  • 34:41 – Query Iteration and Context Enhancement
  • 35:09 – Demo: Medium Mode Retrieval for Complex Queries

Target Audience

Technical practitioners, AI developers, and architects interested in leveraging Microsoft’s latest AI and search technologies for robust, production-ready agent applications.