AutoGen: A framework for building AI agents and applications

AutoGen is a framework for creating multi-agent AI applications that can act autonomously or work alongside humans.

AutoGen

AutoGen Introduction

AutoGen is an open-source programming framework developed by Microsoft for building AI agent systems. It aims to simplify the creation of event-driven, distributed, scalable, and resilient agentic applications.

AutoGen Features

Asynchronous Messaging

Agents communicate via asynchronous messages, supporting both event-driven and request/response interaction patterns. This allows for more efficient and flexible interactions between agents.

Modular and Extensible Design

AutoGen offers a highly modular and extensible architecture. Developers can customize their systems with pluggable components, including custom agents, tools, memory, and models. This flexibility enables the creation of agents tailored to specific tasks and scenarios.

Full Type Support

The framework enforces type checks at build time, ensuring robust and cohesive code quality. This helps catch errors early in the development process and ensures more reliable applications.

Scalable and Distributed

AutoGen allows the design of complex, distributed agent networks that can operate seamlessly across organizational boundaries. This scalability makes it suitable for large-scale applications.

Cross-Language Support

AutoGen supports interoperability between agents built in different programming languages, currently supporting Python and .NET. Additional languages are planned for future releases.

Observability and Debugging

Built-in tools for tracking, tracing, and debugging agent interactions and workflows are provided. Support for OpenTelemetry ensures industry-standard observability.

Layered Architecture

AutoGen has a layered architecture with three main APIs: Core, AgentChat, and Extensions. This structure allows developers to target the level of abstraction that best fits their scenario.

Built-in and Community Extensions

The framework supports community contributions through extensions, allowing developers to enhance its functionality. This collaborative approach fosters a rich ecosystem of tools and components.