AI-900: Azure AI Fundamentals
Exam version: Skills measured as of May 2025 | Passing score: 700/1000 | Duration: ~45 minutes | Cost: $0 labs
Who is this for?
The AI-900 validates foundational knowledge of machine learning and artificial intelligence concepts on Azure. No deep technical experience required — this exam is designed for anyone beginning their AI journey, including:
- IT professionals exploring AI workloads
- Business decision-makers evaluating AI capabilities
- Students interested in AI and machine learning careers
- Developers who want a broad understanding of Azure AI services
Skills at a glance
| Domain | Weight | Challenges |
|---|---|---|
| Describe AI workloads and considerations | 15–20% | 01–04 |
| Describe fundamental principles of machine learning on Azure | 20–25% | 05–09 |
| Describe features of computer vision workloads on Azure | 15–20% | 10–13 |
| Describe features of Natural Language Processing workloads on Azure | 15–20% | 14–18 |
| Describe features of generative AI workloads on Azure | 15–20% | 19–24 |
All 24 challenges are exploration-based and completely free ($0 cost). They use the Azure Portal, Azure AI services free tiers, and Azure AI Studio. The focus is on understanding AI concepts through hands-on exploration — not building production ML pipelines.
How to use this prep
Each challenge follows a beginner-friendly format:
| Section | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Exam Skills Covered | Official skills this challenge addresses |
| Overview | Beginner-friendly explanation of the AI concept |
| Explore | Step-by-step exploration of Azure AI services |
| Try It | Optional hands-on experiments with free-tier services |
| Key Concepts | Summary of critical takeaways |
| Knowledge Check | Exam-style multiple choice questions |
| Learn More | Links to study guide and Microsoft Learn |
Prerequisites
- Azure account — Azure Free Account (free tier is sufficient for all AI-900 challenges)
- Web browser — Most tasks use the Azure Portal and Azure AI Studio
- No prior AI/ML experience — This exam is truly foundational
- No programming required — Concepts are explored through the portal UI
Every challenge in this guide costs $0. We use Azure AI services free tiers, Azure AI Studio exploration, and portal-based demonstrations. You won't accidentally create billable resources.
Study resources
| Resource | Link |
|---|---|
| Official Study Guide | AI-900 Study Guide |
| Free Practice Assessment | Practice Questions |
| Exam Sandbox | Try the exam interface |
| Schedule the Exam | Pearson VUE |
Microsoft Learn paths
| Learning Path | Modules |
|---|---|
| Get started with artificial intelligence | 5 |
| Explore visual tools for machine learning | 4 |
| Explore computer vision | 4 |
| Explore natural language processing | 5 |
| Explore generative AI | 4 |
Ready? Start with Challenge 01 to explore what AI workloads look like on Azure.