Get access to the latest skilling resources on Azure and AI

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With an intense focus on AI and the fast pace of innovation, Azure learners are diving into Microsoft Learn’s newly added Azure and AI skilling resources, including new Learning Paths and the Microsoft Cloud Skills Challenges, to develop skills and advance their understanding. Regardless of whether you're a newcomer to the IT industry or an experienced professional, you can access newly released learning materials and discover how you can make significant progress towards accomplishing your objectives.

The sky’s the limit with our Cloud Skills Challenges

The Microsoft Cloud Skills Challenges offer unique opportunities to enhance your proficiency in cloud technologies. Through hands-on labs and interactive modules, you can gain valuable expertise and earn recognition for your cloud skills. Sharpen, expand, and discover new skills and earn a free certification exam by completing one of eight unique Collections on Microsoft Learn, including the new AI challenge.

Now live

Learn and develop essential AI skills with the Microsoft Learn AI Cloud Skills Challenge. Join the technical community in your region and attend live sessions while progressing through the challenges. The challenge is live as of July 17th, and you can sign up today.

Data and AI learning paths

Learning data and AI skills with Microsoft holds immense value in today's digital landscape. It equips individuals with the ability to harness the potential of data, make informed decisions, and drive innovation. With Microsoft's comprehensive resources and expertise, mastering these skills opens doors to exciting opportunities and empowers individuals to shape the future.

Learning path	Description
Develop Generative AI solutions with Azure OpenAI Service	Azure OpenAI Service provides access to OpenAI's powerful large language models such as ChatGPT, GPT, Codex, and Embeddings models. These models enable various natural language processing (NLP) solutions to understand, converse, and generate content. Users can access the service through REST APIs, SDKs, and Azure OpenAI Studio.
Get started with Microsoft Fabric	Explore the capabilities of Microsoft Fabric.
Use notebooks for experimentation in Azure Machine Learning	Learn how to use Azure Machine Learning notebooks for experimentation. Similar to Jupyter, the notebooks are ideal for exploring your data and developing a machine learning model.
Work with data in Azure Machine Learning	Learn how to work with data in Azure Machine Learning. Whether you want to access data in notebooks or scripts, you can read data directly, through datastores, or data assets.
Explore SQL Server 2022 capabilities	Learn about SQL Server 2022 enhancements, including hybrid capabilities with the cloud and on-premises, performance and data virtualization improvements, improved security and availability, enhanced analytics capabilities
Model data with Power BI	Learn what a Power BI data model is, which data loading approach to use, and how to build out your data model to get the insights you need.
Get started with Power BI	Begin exploring the fundamentals of Power BI interactive reports and the web-based Power BI service for your business.
Automate machine learning model selection with Azure Machine Learning	Learn how to find the best model with automated machine learning (AutoML). Whether you're training a classification, regression, or forecasting model, you can use AutoML to quickly explore various featurization techniques and algorithms.
Deploy and consume models with Azure Machine Learning	Learn how to deploy a model to an endpoint. When you deploy a model, you can get real-time or batch predictions by calling the endpoint.
Optimize model training in Azure Machine Learning	Learn how to optimize model training in Azure Machine Learning by using pipelines and hyperparameter tuning.
Train models with scripts in Azure Machine Learning	To prepare your machine learning workloads for production, you'll work with scripts. Learn how to train models with scripts in Azure Machine Learning.

Develop your Azure infrastructure with these learning paths

Azure infrastructure has a significant impact on application development, so it’s crucial for developers to understand it. As developers work with Azure, having knowledge about its infrastructure allows them to design and optimize applications that leverage the platform's capabilities effectively.

Learning path	Description
Intro to confidential computing with Azure Virtual Machines	This module helps you understand Azure confidential computing concepts for virtual machines, including confidential virtual machines and application enclaves, and which approach to use.
Secure outbound internet connectivity for Azure VMware Solution	Learn how to route, control, and inspect outbound network traffic from Azure VMware Solution private cloud. Define the outbound internet network path using either custom or third-party network virtualization appliance with Azure Route Server and Azure Firewall.
Deploy, manage, and monitor Windows containers on Azure Kubernetes Service	Learn how to deploy, manage, monitor, and operate Windows containers on Azure Kubernetes Service and AKS Hybrid by examining the core principles of Windows containers and Kubernetes.
Common Linux server configurations	This learning path provides an overview for deploying common Linux server functions on Azure virtual machines. Learn how to deploy a SQL Server, a web application server using the MEAN stack, perform a database migration, and manage your IT operations with Azure Automanage.
Linux on Azure	This comprehensive learning path reviews deployment and management of Linux on Azure. Learn about cloud computing concepts, Linux IaaS and PaaS solutions and benefits and Azure cloud services.
Copy blobs between Azure Storage accounts from the command line or by using code	Learn how to use the Azure CLI, AzCopy, and .NET code to copy blobs between storage accounts.
Troubleshooting Windows Containers	Learn about the Windows containers platform and how to troubleshoot it. Learn various troubleshooting techniques, using Docker, Azure, Windows tools, Azure Monitor, and more.
Monitor an Azure Kubernetes Service cluster using Container insights in Azure Monitor	Learn how to analyze the availability and performance of an Azure Kubernetes Service cluster with a containerized application and be proactively notified when a problem occurs.
Use Slurm for HPC on Azure CycleCloud	This module helps you understand how to use SLURM to manage HPC jobs running with Azure CycleCloud and how to troubleshoot common issues.
Secure outbound internet connectivity for Azure VMware Solution	Learn how to route, control, and inspect outbound network traffic from Azure VMware Solution private cloud. Define the outbound internet network path using either custom or third-party network virtualization appliance with Azure Route Server and Azure Firewall.
Introduction to Azure NAT Gateway	Describe the Microsoft Azure NAT Gateway service, discuss scenarios of usage, learn how it works, and explore basic steps for its deployment and configuration.
Introduction to Linux on Azure	This module helps you understand the types of services and platforms Azure provides for Linux environments. Learn the migration of Linux-based workloads to the cloud or you're looking at rearchitecting Linux-based applications to increase agility and reduce time to market.
Provisioning a Linux virtual machine in Microsoft Azure	Azure allows you to use several common provisioning tools to deploy Linux virtual machines (VMs), to include Terraform, Bicep, the Azure portal, and the Azure CLI. In this module, you'll learn how to deploy a Linux virtual machine using each of these methods.
Plan your Linux environment in Azure	The purpose of this module is to provide standards and practices for deploying a Linux environment in Azure. Learn how to use this information to plan and deploy a Linux VM in Azure and optimize it for performance.
Optimize performance and costs by using Azure Disk Storage	Azure Disk Storage offers a range of disk types and capabilities that you can use to optimize application performance and costs in specific scenarios. In this module, you'll learn more about how disk performance works and identify Azure Disk Storage capabilities and performance-scaling options.

Discover an efficient and flexible approach to mastering Azure with CLX

Our Connected Learning Experience (CLX) program was introduced last year to help individuals interested in learning and IT professionals become experts in Microsoft Azure cloud. This program consists of four steps that can be tailored to your specific needs and completed at your own pace. By the end of the program, you will receive a certificate of completion and a 50% discount voucher for an exam. This allows you to make the most of your learning experience while saving time.

CLX program	Description
Migrate and manage Windows Server workloads on Azure	Migrating and managing Windows Server workloads on Azure involves transferring existing applications and infrastructure from on-premises to the Azure cloud platform. Azure offers various tools and services, such as Azure Site Recovery, Azure Virtual Machines, Azure Backup, and Azure Monitor, to support this migration and management process.
Designing and Implementing Microsoft Azure Networking Solutions	This exam measures your ability to accomplish the following technical tasks: design and implement core networking infrastructure; design, implement, and manage connectivity services; design and implement application delivery services; design and implement private access to Azure services; and secure network connectivity to Azure resources.

Learn Live with subject matter experts and a great community

Looking for more personal interaction? Earn badges and prepare for certifications with our series of Learn Live sessions.

Learn Live	Description
Get started with AI on Microsoft Azure	AI empowers amazing new solutions and experiences, and Microsoft Azure provides easy-to-use services to help you get started. With AI, we can build solutions that seemed like science fiction a short time ago; enabling incredible advances in health care, financial management, environmental protection, and other areas to make a better world. In this session, learn about the kinds of solution AI can make possible and considerations for responsible AI practices. On-demand
Introduction to Azure OpenAI Service	In this session, describe Azure OpenAI workloads and access the Azure OpenAI Service, understand generative AI models, and understand Azure OpenAI language, code, and image capabilities. Also, learn about responsible AI practices and limited access policies in Azure OpenAI. On-demand.
Azure Cosmos DB for PostgreSQL	Azure Cosmos DB for PostgreSQL provides a highly scalable distributed relational database solution, reliably and securely managed on Azure. In these modules, learn how to; effectively model data for distributed tables, efficiently ingest and query data with distributed tables, use extensions to bundle multiple related SQL objects together, and design for global scale and availability. Live now and runs every week through Sept. 13, 2023 (5 episodes).
Taking Azure Kubernetes Service out of the cloud and into your world	Did you know that Azure Kubernetes Service is now available as managed service not just in Microsoft Azure, but also outside of it on Windows operating systems? In this session we show you how you can take AKS outside of Azure to support on-premises and edge deployments using AKS Edge Essentials. AKS EE provides the right-sized Kubernetes distribution that allows to scale to tens of thousands of device deployments. On-demand.
Azure Core IaaS Study Hall	This weekly series will answer your questions live and walk through how to build infrastructure solutions with Azure IaaS services and products. Start maximizing the value of your IT investments by learning about highly secure, available, and scalable cloud services. Modernize your IT with an enterprise-grade cloud infrastructure and migrate your apps with confidence. On-demand.
Microsoft Reactor	Whether you're building your career or the next great idea, Microsoft Reactor connects you with the developers and startups that share your goals. Learn new skills, meet new peers, and find career mentorship. Virtual events are running around the clock so join us anytime, anywhere! On-demand.
Migrate SQL workloads to Azure Managed Instances	In this session we focus on data migration. Learners will be able to demonstrate the benefits and processes for moving a SQL Server database to an Azure SQL Database Managed Instance. You will be able to: Evaluate migration scenarios to Azure SQL Database Managed Instance, Migrate to Azure SQL Database Managed Instance, Load and move data to Azure SQL Database Managed Instance. On-demand.

Explore and grow with Microsoft Learn Collections

Official Microsoft Learn Collections offer a comprehensive and tailored approach to learning. Carefully selected documentation, learning modules, and community content are combined within these collections to provide you with an exceptional educational experience. Whether you're a beginner eager to delve into the world of technology or an experienced professional seeking to enhance your skills, these collections are designed to cater to your specific needs.

Learn Collection	Description
Analytics in the Age of AI	Analytics is supercharged by AI. Understand the latest developments in analytics with Microsoft's learning resources in this collection.
Learn to Develop AI solutions with Azure OpenAI	Get the resources you need to access OpenAI's powerful large language model to enable various natural processing solutions to understand, converse, and generate content for your business. Complete the training modules in this Microsoft Learn Collection and share with your network to grow your capabilities with Azure OpenAI.
Introduction to Azure OpenAI Service	Empower yourself with amazing new solutions and experiences in Artificial Intelligence (AI) powered by Microsoft Azure for easy-to-use services that help you get started through this Microsoft Learn Collection.
Modernize IT sustainability with Azure hybrid solutions	Cover a wide range of topics including Azure fundamentals, Azure security, and Azure machine learning.
Build and Maintain your Company Copilot with Azure Machine Learning and GPT-4	Leverage the Microsoft Learn resources in this Microsoft Learn Collection to help you better understand how to harness new AI technologies for real-world applications.
Learn how to use ChatGPT, DALL-E, and GPT models in Azure OpenAI Studio	Discover how generative AI is driving the next cycle of innovation across industries. Learn how organizations are exploring use-cases never thought possible before, including generating personalized marketing emails and summarizing long-form reports.
Azure Center for SAP solutions	Azure Center for SAP solutions is a complete, unified experience for deploying and managing SAP systems on the Microsoft Cloud.
SAP on Azure training videos	SAP on Microsoft Azure video tutorial series that provides technical guidance and enablement for customers and partners. Improve your cloud infrastructure skills with advanced guidance from Azure experts in this on-demand video series.
Take your .NET Apps to the cloud with Azure	Learn how to take your .NET apps to the cloud. This page of resources is ideal for .NET developers, architects, and IT professionals who want to learn how to get started with Azure for migrating and modernizing their .NET applications.
Deploy & manage storage volumes with Azure Container Storage	Learn about Azure Container Storage and its capabilities, including creating and managing volumes for production-scale stateful container applications. Learn how to optimize the performance of stateful workloads on Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS) to effectively scale across storage services while providing a cost-effective container-native experience.
Leveraging CBL-Mariner to run your cloud and edge workloads on AKS	CBL-Mariner is now Generally Available as the nodepool for your AKS clusters in Azure. Use the resources on this page to learn more about AKS and the benefits of Mariner.
Accelerating Cloud-Development with Azure Kubernetes Service and Containers	Explore Azure Kubernetes Service and Container resources in this Microsoft Learn Collection. Discover how Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS) simplifies deploying a managed Kubernetes cluster in Azure by offloading the operational overhead to Azure. As a hosted Kubernetes service, Azure handles critical tasks, like health monitoring and maintenance.
New Azure Monitor capabilities for monitoring cloud-native environments	Learn more about monitoring applications and Kubernetes clusters on Azure to enhance your overall cloud-native monitoring experience.
Analytics in the Microsoft Intelligent Data Platform DREAM Lab	Keep the DREAM alive with the below resources which will help you continue your learning journey as you explore the Microsoft Intelligent Data Platform.

 

Keep your momentum going by renewing your Microsoft Certifications

You’ve put in many long hours of work to earn your Microsoft Certifications, demonstrating your ability to keep pace with today’s technology and succeed in the digital world. Unless you renew them, however, your Microsoft role-based and specialty certifications expire annually. The convenient Microsoft Certification renewal process ensures that you’re current on the latest technology.

Renewing your certification is free, and you can take the renewal assessment any time during your six-month eligibility window, via Microsoft Learn. Assessments are short and open-book, and you can take them as many times as you want before your certification expires. Learn more about the certification renewal process here.

You’re an Azure all-star, spread the word!

It takes dedication to earn a new Azure skill or certification. After you’ve passed a certification exam or completed your training and are ready to put your new skills to work, be sure to celebrate your Azure skills with your network.

If you're ready to utilize our learning resources, check out Microsoft Learn. There you can find the courses mentioned above and much more, and you can get access to additional resources, sign up for help, and dive into the world of Microsoft Learn. We're excited to see you there!