Using AI Agents in OutSystems

AI agents are at the heart of intelligent digital solutions. Whether it’s automation, real-time recommendations, or enhancing user experience—AI makes the difference between an ordinary and a future-proof organization. But if you’re working with OutSystems, where do you start? Do you need to switch to the OutSystems Developer Cloud (ODC), or can you already benefit from AI within your existing OutSystems 11 (O11) environment?

This blog clarifies:

• What AI agents are (and how they differ from chatbots)
• How to apply AI in both OutSystems 11 and ODC
• When Azure AI Foundry (or other external AI platforms) adds value
• Practical tips for your organization
• Invitation: join our “Ask and Inspire” AI meetups!

What Are AI Agents, and How Are They Different from Chatbots?

AI is often associated with chatbots that answer questions, help rewrite text, or summarize meeting notes. But chatbots wait—they only act when prompted. An AI agent is more autonomous. It can decide when and how to act, without someone pressing a button.

Examples of autonomous AI agent tasks:

• Automatically assigning emails to the correct department based on content
• Proactively monitoring IT systems, detecting issues, and initiating solutions (CoolProfs already uses this via Elastic in our CoolMonitor solutions!)
• Starting workflows based on unusual data patterns or even external signals

In this way, an AI agent acts like a colleague who works independently, strengthening your organization in a scalable way.

OutSystems & AI: What’s Already Possible, and What Should You Consider?

Many organizations still run on OutSystems 11 (O11) and haven’t yet migrated to the new, cloud-native OutSystems Developer Cloud (ODC). So the question is: should you wait for AI until you migrate, or can you start now?

Good news: AI is already possible with O11!

With ODC (OutSystems Developer Cloud)

ODC offers native AI integration. Think of a built-in AI Agent Builder, direct connections to Azure OpenAI and Amazon Bedrock—all without complex integrations. You can quickly build smart agents that run entirely within OutSystems.

ODC’s AI integration is continuously expanding, including the recently announced AI Agent Workbench. This tool makes building and managing agents within ODC applications even more accessible. While the diagram may suggest more steps, the integration within ODC allows developers to manage and control their agents directly in the platform—without needing to switch to the Azure AI Foundry environment.

With OutSystems 11 (O11)

Still using O11? You can still harness AI power—by connecting to platforms like Azure AI Foundry or other AI services. Through APIs, you can seamlessly integrate powerful AI features (language models, document recognition, agents) into your existing OutSystems apps. No migration needed!

In short: you don’t have to wait for ODC to start with AI. OutSystems 11 users can already benefit from AI through smart integrations.

Why Choose Azure AI Foundry as an Alternative or Addition?

The choice between ODC and Azure AI Foundry depends on your tech strategy:

ODC:
Offers standard, deeply integrated AI. Ideal if you want full control within the OutSystems ecosystem and prefer out-of-the-box solutions.

Azure AI Foundry:
Enables rapid integration of the latest AI techniques—even in existing OutSystems 11 applications. Useful if you work extensively with Microsoft services or need advanced, flexible solutions beyond OutSystems alone.

Practical Use Cases

An ODC customer:
Builds an app that automatically understands, classifies, and answers customer questions using native AI—without leaving the platform.

An organization using O11:
Automatically analyzes documents and generates summaries using an Azure AI model, called directly into the existing application via a simple API—no major migration required.

How to Make the Best Choice?

Already cloud-native and wanting maximum simplicity and speed? Choose ODC.

Still on O11 or want flexible integration with Microsoft platforms? Start with Azure AI Foundry or another external platform via APIs.

Start small, experiment, and scale where you see the most value.

Want to Think Together? Join Our “Ask and Inspire (AI)” Sessions!

Want to discuss this blog further, explore real-world examples, or brainstorm about your specific situation? Every Friday afternoon, you’re welcome at the informal Ask and Inspire (AI) sessions hosted by CoolProfs.

• Meet peers, AI specialists, and OutSystems experts
• Share your case, get instant feedback, and be inspired
• From early ideas to deep technical questions—everything is welcome!

Vera de Brouwer, Consultant, CoolProfs