Semantic Kernel (SK)

Semantic Kernel is an open-source software development kit from Microsoft designed for developers building applications with large language models. Rather than forcing you to choose between a specific AI service or architecture, Semantic Kernel provides a unified interface that works with OpenAI, Azure OpenAI, Hugging Face, and other providers. This flexibility means you can switch LLM providers or use multiple services simultaneously without rewriting your application code. The SDK handles the routine complexities of AI application development: prompt templating and management, maintaining conversation context and memory, orchestrating chains of AI operations, and connecting AI services with traditional software logic. Developers write in their preferred language (C#, Python, Java, and more) using consistent APIs across the entire framework. As an open-source project, Semantic Kernel is free and benefits from community contributions. The plugin architecture lets you extend functionality without modifying core code, and the framework is designed to integrate with existing applications rather than replace them.