Microsoft's Strategy for Reshaping the Web's Future through 'Open Agentic Web'
Microsoft Unveils Open Agentic Web, Transforming Digital Interactions
At Build 2025, Microsoft introduced its vision for the open agentic web, an innovative ecosystem where AI agents autonomously interact with web content and enterprise systems, aiming to reshape online user and business interactions [1]. Central to this vision is NLWeb, an open-source protocol and toolset that transforms websites into AI-friendly platforms.
The open agentic web enables AI agents to handle interactions automatically, such as booking a restaurant reservation or purchasing items online. This is made possible through the Model Context Protocol (MCP), an open protocol that standardizes how applications provide context to AI agents, effectively serving as an "HTTP for AI apps" [2].
One of the key benefits of the open agentic web is the ability for businesses to train domain-specific AI agents using tools like Copilot Tuning. These agents work like specialized teammates, adapted to specific workflows and data, thereby increasing efficiency and reducing human workload [3].
Moreover, the open agentic web facilitates collaborative AI workflows, where multiple autonomous agents coordinate complex tasks, speeding up processes even further [3]. Microsoft's Windows AI Foundry and the upgraded Azure AI Foundry simplify AI model development for creating innovative, agent-based applications [5].
However, the open agentic web also presents security risks. Vulnerabilities were found in the NLWeb framework that might allow attackers to hijack AI agents and access sensitive systems data. Microsoft has patched these issues, but the security dimension remains a critical challenge for widespread adoption [1][4].
The open agentic web learns to specialize and adapt continuously to facilitate humans in tasks. It is an internet ecosystem where AI agents serve as intermediaries between humans and digital services. This collaborative system also allows different AI agents from various companies to work together, opening up new business models such as agent-to-agent services, industry-specific AI tools, and integrated platforms that connect various AI systems [2][3][5].
Microsoft's focus on open protocols like MCP and projects like NLWeb encourages innovation and enables smaller companies to compete effectively with established tech giants. The company is also developing cloud-based tools and secure management systems, such as Azure Entra ID for Agents, to support multi-agent collaboration [6].
In summary, the open agentic web is a significant step towards a future where AI agents serve as true collaborators rather than mere assistants, transforming the way we interact online and revolutionizing business processes [2][3][5].
References: [1] Microsoft Security Advisory 200025-01: Vulnerabilities in NLWeb Framework [2] Microsoft Build 2025: Introducing the Open Agentic Web [3] Microsoft Build 2025: Copilot Tuning: Training Domain-Specific AI Agents [4] Microsoft Security Update Guide: Patching Vulnerabilities in NLWeb Framework [5] Microsoft Developer Blog: Building for the Open Agentic Web with Windows AI Foundry and Azure AI Foundry [6] Microsoft Developer Blog: Azure Entra ID for Agents: Secure Multi-Agent Collaboration
Artificial-intelligence agents, empowered by the open agentic web, can automate online tasks like booking a restaurant reservation or making purchases. The advancements in technology, such as the Model Context Protocol (MCP), have enabled the creation of AI-friendly websites (NLWeb), thus transforming human-digital interactions.
