Presented by Manpreet Singh and Reed Wiedower at Microsoft Ignite 2025, this session explores strategies for building and deploying responsible agentic AI with Microsoft Copilot, emphasizing governance and best practices.

Building and Deploying Responsible Agentic AI with Microsoft Copilot

Speakers: Manpreet Singh, Reed Wiedower (Cognizant)

Microsoft Ignite 2025 | Session BRKSP470 | Intermediate (Level 200)

Session Overview

This session, co-hosted by Cognizant and Microsoft Responsible AI (RAI) experts, addresses how organizations can implement responsible AI practices focused on agentic AI systems, specifically those leveraging Microsoft Copilot. The discussion is anchored in real-world scenarios, frameworks, and client implementations.

Key Topics

• Responsible AI (RAI) Approach: Overview of Cognizant's strategy for RAI governance in agentic AI and alignment with Microsoft Copilot AI solutions.
• Agentic AI Governance: Principles of oversight for AI agents, including strategies for accountability, transparency, and ethical deployment.
• Multi-Agent Management: Best practices for building, managing, and simplifying Copilot-based agent systems across industries.
• Copilot Framework: Insights into Cognizant’s Copilot framework and how it's applied to solve domain-specific challenges.
• AI Maturity and Adaptation: The importance of organizational agility in the evolving Microsoft ecosystem.
• Adoption Challenges: Common issues in Copilot adoption, from user frustration with features in M365 Copilot to the demand for automation and low-code solutions.
• Leadership and Evangelism: The role of leaders and pilot users in driving successful Copilot projects.

Chapters and Structure

• 0:00 – Introduction: Building and deploying responsible Copilot agents
• 10:00 – Client implementation challenges
• 12:47 – Cognizant’s Copilot Framework and cross-industry learning
• 16:32 – Developing domain-specific use cases
• 18:22 – Best practices in multi-agent systems
• 25:56 – Navigating AI maturity and the Microsoft ecosystem
• 34:44 – Limitations and user feedback on M365 Copilot
• 35:43 – Automation needs and low-code solutions (Workflows Frontier agent)
• 44:27 – Identifying and empowering pilot users, leadership importance

Additional Resources

• Session video
• Cognizant Responsible AI
• Microsoft Ignite

Takeaways

Attendees will gain actionable insights into:

• Implementing agentic AI governance models using Microsoft Copilot
• Overcoming practical and organizational challenges in the adoption of AI agents
• Leveraging frameworks and best practices for multi-agent system development
• Understanding the limitations of current Copilot tools and how to address them
• Building leadership and user engagement for sustainable AI transformation

Session presented by Manpreet Singh and Reed Wiedower, Microsoft Ignite 2025