# Microsoft adds run-assert-eval to help small businesses govern AI agents

Digest AI · Marketing & Small Business · published 2026-10-14T19:11:00Z

Canonical: https://digestai.news/story/microsoft-adds-run-assert-eval-to-help-small-businesses-govern-ai-agen

## Summary

**Microsoft’s new run-assert-eval skill** helps small business developers test AI agents for risks and automate policy fixes in one prompt. It builds on tools like ASSERT and ACS, which enforce rules in AI systems. The company highlights two common gaps: businesses often miss unseen risks, and manual fixes can introduce errors when updating policies after testing changes.**

The tool measures fail rates and generates runtime policies based on detected risks. A billing-support agent using run-assert-eval found a **30% data exposure rate** in a sample set, which dropped to **5.9%** after applying the governance skill. Microsoft says it uses evidence-based governance by threat-modeling agents before assessing metrics, aiming to catch overlooked vulnerabilities. However, adoption may require training and temporary workflow disruptions, especially for customer-facing roles. Future updates promise more customization for specific business needs.

## Key points

- Microsoft’s run-assert-eval tests AI agents for risks and auto-generates policies in one prompt
- Reduced a billing-support agent’s data exposure rate from 30% to 5.9% in a sample set
- Requires technical expertise and training to integrate effectively into workflows

## Why it matters

Small businesses using AI for customer service or operations can now catch unseen risks and automate policy fixes, reducing errors and improving compliance without deep expertise.

## Sources

1. [Microsoft Unveils run-assert-eval to Enhance AI Governance and Safety](https://smallbiztrends.com/microsoft-unveils-run-assert-eval-to-enhance-ai-governance-and-safety) (Small Business Trends, 2026-10-14)

## Cite

Digest AI, "Microsoft adds run-assert-eval to help small businesses govern AI agents", 14 October 2026, https://digestai.news/story/microsoft-adds-run-assert-eval-to-help-small-businesses-govern-ai-agen

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