New Free Course: Understanding Microsoft Agent Framework – Jamie Maguire

Microsoft has reached a significant milestone with its Agent Framework, recently achieving Release Candidate status for both .NET and Python. This stability makes it the perfect time to dive into learning this unified SDK that brings together the best features from Semantic Kernel, AutoGen, and the Process Framework.

Why This Course Matters Now

The timing couldn't be better. With GA expected in Q3 2026, developers who start learning now will have a significant head start. Jamie Maguire recognized this opportunity and has spent months creating a comprehensive learning resource that addresses the exact gap many developers face: understanding how to build practical AI agents using this new framework.

Course Structure and Content

The course follows a logical progression, building from fundamental concepts to advanced implementations. Each module includes detailed blog posts, complete source code, and video demonstrations, making it accessible for developers at various skill levels.

Core Topics Covered

The curriculum spans the full spectrum of Agent Framework capabilities:

Foundation Concepts

• Overview of the Agent Framework and its relationship to existing tools
• Core components including agent types, function tools, and workflows
• Thread management for conversational state
• Function tools and how they extend agent capabilities

Advanced Features

• Multi-agent orchestration using agents as function tools
• Human-in-the-loop patterns for regulated industries
• Contextual memory with AIContextProvider
• Background responses for long-running tasks
• Model Context Protocol (MCP) server development
• Email marketing integration
• Retrieval Augmented Generation (RAG) implementation

The Iron Mind AI Project

Throughout the course, learners build a practical personal trainer agent called Iron Mind AI. This isn't just a theoretical exercise—the agent evolves with each module, gaining new capabilities that mirror real-world requirements:

• Basic conversational abilities
• Appointment and booking management
• Nutrition advice with recipe recommendations
• Payment processing with human approval
• Client memory and progress tracking
• Research and newsletter generation
• MCP tool exposure for external integration
• Email marketing automation
• Document-based knowledge retrieval

Who Should Take This Course

This course is specifically designed for .NET developers and architects who want to build AI agents, regardless of their prior experience with Semantic Kernel or AutoGen. The material assumes no previous agentic AI development experience, making it accessible while still providing depth for experienced developers.

Learning Format

Each module follows a consistent, developer-friendly format:

• Detailed blog posts explaining concepts and implementation
• Complete, runnable source code
• Video demonstrations showing the agent in action
• Incremental learning that builds on previous modules

Getting Started

The entire course is available for free on YouTube, with no sign-ups or paywalls required. This accessibility aligns with the growing trend of open-source AI development education and Microsoft's commitment to developer enablement.

What Makes This Course Different

Unlike many AI tutorials that focus on isolated concepts, this course provides a comprehensive journey from zero to production-ready AI agent development. The practical focus on building Iron Mind AI ensures learners understand not just the "how" but the "why" behind each implementation decision.

Future-Proof Your Skills

With Microsoft's Agent Framework reaching Release Candidate status, now is the optimal time to invest in learning this technology. The framework represents Microsoft's vision for the future of AI agent development, and early adopters will be well-positioned as the ecosystem matures.

Additional Resources

The course is supported by an extensive collection of supplementary materials:

• Complete YouTube playlist
• Individual blog posts for each topic
• Official Microsoft documentation links
• Migration guides for existing Semantic Kernel projects
• GitHub repository with all source code

This comprehensive approach ensures learners have multiple pathways to understanding and can reference materials as needed during their development journey.

The course represents a significant contribution to the AI development community, providing a practical, accessible path to mastering Microsoft's Agent Framework at a crucial moment in its evolution.