🚨Introducing the JS AI Build-a-thon 🚨

Julia_Muiruri

Microsoft

Jun 04, 2025

We are excited to announce the JS AI Build-a-thon — an epic learning journey crafted for JavaScript and TypeScript developers who want to step confidently into the world of AI.

✨ To register for the JS AI Build-a-thon, visit https://aka.ms/JSAIBuild-a-thon ✨

🌟 Why Join the Build-a-thon?

We’re entering a future where AI-first and agentic developer experiences will shape how we build — and you don’t want to be left behind.

This isn’t your average hackathon. It’s a hands-on, quest-driven learning experience designed for developers, packed with:

Interactive quests that guide you step by step — from your first prototype to production-ready apps
Community-powered support via our dedicated Discord and local, community-led study jams
Showcase moments to share your journey, get inspired, and celebrate what you build

Whether you're just starting your AI journey or looking to sharpen your skills with frameworks like LangChain.js, tools like the Azure AI Foundry and AI Toolkit Extensions, or diving deeper into agentic app design — this is your moment to start building.

🗺️ Your Build-a-thon Roadmap

The journey is broken into milestones — each building on the last — helping you go from zero to AI engineer at your own pace.

🚧Milestone	🔍 What You'll Do
Registration and Community	Register for the program at https://aka.ms/JSAIBuild-a-thon Join our dedicated build-a-thon space on the AI Foundry Discord community using https://aka.ms/JSAIonDiscord (#js-ai-build-a-thon channel)
Build-a-thon Launch Call (June 9)	Join us live on June 9 at 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM (UTC-07:00) Pacific Time (US & Canada) Learn all about the program and find a study jam near you
Quest 1 → Build a local Gen AI prototype (June 9)	Use the AI Toolkit VS Code extension to build local prototypes with GitHub-hosted models. Start experimenting without an Azure account.
Quest 2 → Migrate to Azure AI Foundry (June 11)	Seamlessly switch your local models to Azure-hosted ones using the new Azure AI Foundry extension. Tap into scalable infrastructure in just a few clicks.
Quest 3 → Add a simple chat UI for your prototype (June 13)	Build a responsive chat interface using Vite and Lit and manage your project's infrastructure with Bicep and the Azure Developer CLI (azd).
Quest 4 → Connect to your data using RAG (June 16)	Connect to external data and documents using Retrieval Augmented Generation.
Quest 5 → Power-up your prototype by adding conversation history (June 18)	Bring memory and context to your app using LangChain.js
Quest 6 → Build an AI Agent (June 20)	Use the Azure AI Foundry extension to create and customize intelligent agents with tools, memory, and goal-driven behavior. Your app just got smarter.
Quest 7 → Create a local AI Agent with Tools from an MCP Server (June 23)	Set up a local Model Context Protocol (MCP) server to empower your AI agent with tool-using capabilities, enabling interactions with your operating system.
Quest 8 → Automate code reviews on GitHub (June 25)	Implement GenAIScript to automate your code review process on GitHub, allowing AI to analyze pull requests and provide feedback.
Quest 9 → Customize a production ready E2E project template (June 27)	Explore and customize end-to-end project templates from the Azure Developer CLI (azd) and AI Template Gallery, adapting them to fit your project's unique requirements
Build-a-thon closing ceremony (June 30)	Join us live on June 30 at 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM (UTC-07:00) Pacific Time (US & Canada) Showcase your projects and learn about the key. next steps you can take to further your learning on JS + AI on Azure
Community recognition 🎉	Earn your participation badge after completing the build-a-thon successfully

Tips & Tricks to Get the Most Out of the Build-a-thon

To make the most of your experience in the JS AI Build-a-thon, here are a few pro tips to keep in mind:

Follow the Quests in Order: Each quest builds on the previous one. Completing them sequentially ensures a smooth learning curve and helps you gradually level up your AI development skills.
Dive into the Resources Section: Every quest comes with a curated list of resources — links to docs, videos, tutorials, and related tools. Take time to explore these materials to deepen your understanding of the concepts introduced.
Experiment Beyond the Instructions: Don’t be afraid to tinker! Modify code, try different tools, and explore edge cases. This is your sandbox to learn, build, and get creative.
Lean on the Community: Join discussions in the Discord server and connect with other developers through study jams and community channels. It’s easier (and more fun!) when you’re not building alone.