Agora uses Microsoft Azure AI and the Azure global cloud platform as the backbone of its real-time audio and video communication network. By running on Azure’s worldwide infrastructure, Agora can: - Build a secure, compliant real-time communication network that respects different data regulations across countries and regions. - Store and transmit data in a way that meets local compliance requirements, supported by Azure’s global data centers and certifications. - Take advantage of Azure’s network optimization to keep end-to-end latency at the millisecond level, which helps maintain smooth, real-time audio and video experiences even across regions. On top of the infrastructure, Agora integrates Azure AI services, including Azure OpenAI and Azure Speech, to add intelligent capabilities such as real-time translation and multimodal interaction. This combination of global cloud coverage and AI services helps Agora deliver more reliable, intelligent real-time engagement experiences to customers worldwide.

By integrating Microsoft Azure AI, Agora has added several key multilingual and AI-driven capabilities to its platform: - **Real-time translation in 140+ languages:** Using Azure Speech Services for speech-to-text and text-to-speech, Agora supports accurate real-time translation across more than 140 languages and dialects. This helps customers enable cross-border communication without needing separate translation tools. - **Multimodal, intelligent interactions:** With Azure OpenAI in Foundry Tools, Agora can enhance customer experiences with AI-powered features such as intelligent voice interactions and context-aware responses, helping customers reimagine how users engage in live audio and video sessions. - **Low-latency global experiences:** Azure’s global network optimization keeps latency at the millisecond level, so these AI and translation features work in real time, even for users in different regions. Together, these capabilities allow Agora’s customers to offer more natural, multilingual, and intelligent real-time engagement experiences in their own products and services.

The collaboration with Microsoft has supported Agora’s global expansion and operational efficiency in several measurable ways: - **Expanded global coverage:** With Azure’s global cloud infrastructure, Agora has grown its service coverage from about 80 countries and regions to more than 200. This allows customers to reach users in many more markets using the same real-time engagement platform. - **Compliance and data security:** Azure’s compliance framework and international certifications help Agora meet diverse data protection and regulatory requirements across regions. This has been critical for secure, compliant data storage and transmission as Agora scales internationally. - **Performance and reliability:** Azure’s global network and optimization capabilities help Agora maintain millisecond-level latency and stable audio/video performance, including in regions with less reliable networks. - **Faster product iteration and AI innovation:** By integrating Azure OpenAI and using GitHub Copilot, Agora’s development teams can accelerate software development and product iteration. This has helped Agora move from being primarily a real-time communication provider to an AI-driven real-time interaction platform. These technology and operational gains contributed to Agora achieving its first GAAP profitability in 2024, while positioning the company to continue rethinking real-time engagement in partnership with Microsoft’s AI portfolio.