Discover new tools, skills, and best practices with Microsoft MVPs and Developer Influencers

Microsoft

Apr 01, 2025

For April, we’re highlighting some of the great content being created by and featuring Microsoft MVPs, experts, and developer influencers. Dive deeper into GitHub Copilot, find hidden features in Visual Studio, learn how to bring GenAI into JavaScript apps, and more. We’ve got how-to videos, live events, demos, hackathons, and other learning resources that will help you level up your dev skills. You’ll find opportunities to connect with Microsoft experts, learn new skills, and explore the latest tools and feature updates for developers.

AI Agents Hackathon 2025 is here
It’s time for AI Agents Hackathon 2025! Join this free hackathon to learn new skills, get hands-on experience, build an agent, and maybe even win a prize. Event runs April 8–30, 2025. Get details and register.

New Microsoft Learn module: Introduction to custom engine agents
Check out the new Microsoft Learn module: Introduction to custom engine agents. Learn when and how to use them to create an agent in Microsoft 365.

Microsoft JDConf brings the latest on AI and Java development
JDConf 2025 is April 9-10, 2025. Join Microsoft's annual event for Java developers to learn about building modern apps in the cloud, integrating AI, using AI-assisted dev tools, and more.

.NET Conf: Focus on Modernization
Modernize your .NET applications and unlock the benefits of modern app development. Join the .NET Conf: Focus on Modernization digital event to learn how. Livestreaming April 22–23 and then available to watch on demand.

GitHub Copilot 101 - Essential features
In this tutorial, Kedasha Kerr demonstrates essential GitHub Copilot features while building a simple rock-paper-scissors game. Watch how features like slash commands, inline chat, and Copilot Edits can streamline your coding process.

Hidden Visual Studio features you don't want to miss
Visual Studio is loaded with features. No developer knows them all. In this video, Mads Kristensen shares some lesser-known, hidden features that will help you be a more productive developer.

A 10x faster TypeScript
Learn about a 10x faster TypeScript. Anders Hejlsberg, lead architect of TypeScript and Technical Fellow at Microsoft, introduces a new port of TypeScript that delivers significant improvements.

Smaller prompts, better answers with GitHub Copilot Custom Instructions
Working with GitHub Copilot in VS Code is a great way to improve dev productivity. But did you know a simple markdown file can boost efficiency even further? Rob Conery shows how custom instructions can help you do more with GitHub Copilot.

Mr. Maeda's Cozy AI Kitchen: Generative AI Scripting
Watch a demo of GenAIScript, a scripting framework designed to integrate seamlessly with large language models. Programmatically assemble prompts for LLMs using JavaScript. Orchestrate LLMs, tools, and data in a single script. Watch and get the sample code.

Generative AI for Beginners with JavaScript
Want to bring Generative AI into your JavaScript apps? The Generative AI for Beginners with JavaScript course on GitHub teaches JavaScript developers how to use Gen AI. Work through lessons, complete exercises, and get code samples.

Connect, code, and grow at Build
Are you ready for Microsoft Build? This year’s event happens May 19-22, 2025 in Seattle and online. Get ready to learn new skills and make new connections during online and in-person gatherings, watch parties, and community celebrations.

Visual Studio Code + GitHub Copilot release party
Join the Visual Studio Code + GitHub Copilot release party on April 16, 2025. The VS Code and GitHub Copilot teams will give a deep dive into the latest features and answer questions about the March release.

Now available: .NET AI template (preview)
Are you ready to get started with AI development, but don’t know where to start? Try the new AI Chat Web App template (now in preview). This template simplifies AI development with .NET, offering scaffolding and guidance within Visual Studio, VS Code, and the .NET CLI.

Mr. Maeda's Cozy AI Kitchen: The Agents Era, with Fabian Williams
Fabian Williams visits Mr. Maeda's Cozy AI Kitchen to discuss the democratization of language models in the era of AI agents.

Register now for the Microsoft AI Skills Fest!
Join the Microsoft AI Skills Fest and level up your AI knowledge with live events, in-person training, self-paced lessons, hackathons, and more. Runs April 8–May 28, 2025.

Coding standards made easy in Visual Studio
Spend less time dealing with coding standards and naming conventions. Mads Kristensen shows an easy way to have Visual Studio handle this for you, saving you time and producing higher quality code.

Introduction to Visual Studio Extensibility Samples
Tina Schrepfer kicks off a multi-part miniseries showcasing new Visual Studio Extensibility samples. Learn about the new Visual Studio extensibility model and get an intro to the samples that will help you start writing extensions.

Copilot Dev Camp: Understanding the available pathways to make agents
Copilot Developer Camp offers training resources and hands-on workshops to learn about creating agents for Microsoft 365 Copilot. Watch this overview to learn about the various pathways available for different roles, skillsets, and goals.

Next Edit Suggestions for GitHub Copilot in Action
Currently in preview, the new Next Edit Suggestions feature for GitHub Copilot will provide code suggestions, as well as improve and update your existing code. It helps with refactoring, bug fixes, and even grammar mistakes. Watch a demo and overview by Burke Holland.

Use GitHub Copilot agent mode to create an application from scratch
Use GitHub Copilot agent mode to create an application from scratch! Agent mode acts as an autonomous peer programmer, performing multi-step coding tasks at your command. Watch an overview and find out how to get started.

How Microsoft Engineers Build AI: Learn about scalable RAG-enabled AI apps
Check out the first episode of the new How Microsoft Engineers Build AI video series. In this episode, you’ll learn how Microsoft engineers used RAG to develop the Ask Learn function on Copilot for Azure.

POSETTE: An Event for Postgres 2025
POSETTE is a free digital developer event organized by the Postgres team at Microsoft. This year’s event takes place June 10-12, 2025. Get details and register.

GitHub Copilot for Azure
Streamline your cloud projects with GitHub Copilot for Azure. This series of Microsoft Developer videos explores essential features. Learn how to use GitHub Copilot for Azure to deploy containers, manage AI models, and more.

Register now: Developer’s Guide to GitHub Copilot
Ready to boost your dev skills using GitHub Copilot. Register for one of the Developer’s Guide to GitHub Copilot events. These free, online sessions will offer helpful tips and demos that explore real-world scenarios.

Global AI Bootcamp 2025: Live in-person around the world
Global AI Bootcamp 2025 is underway! Join the Global AI Bootcamp 2025 in March and April around the world. Find an event near you to experience hands-on training with AI experts.

Intro to GitHub Copilot in Visual Studio
GitHub Copilot in Visual Studio is powerful, easy to learn, and free. Find out how you can use GitHub Copilot to supercharge your coding workflow in Visual Studio.

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