Updated September 7, 2021
Organizations all over the world are gearing up for a future powered by AI. And they’re looking for engineers who can create AI-enabled apps and bots to help improve customer service, drive cost savings, accelerate decision-making, and build agility and resilience with this new breed of digital technologies. Does this sound like you?
The Azure AI Engineer Associate certification validates that you have subject matter expertise using cognitive services, machine learning, and knowledge mining to architect and implement Microsoft AI solutions involving natural language processing, speech, computer vision, and conversational AI.
You can earn the certification by passing Exam AI-100: Designing and Implementing an Azure AI Solution, which is live through June 30, 2021. Or, after February 23, 2021, you can earn the certification by passing Exam AI-102: Designing and Implementing a Microsoft Azure AI Solution, which will eventually replace Exam AI-100. The updated exam focuses more on practical engineering and less on solution architecture, in keeping with the current skills for the role.
Passing either exam will earn you the certification. If you’ve been preparing for Exam AI-100, you still have time to take it before it retires. If you’re just beginning your exam prep, consider taking the new exam instead, after the beta version is available. For more details, please read our blog post, We’re taking Azure certifications for data and AI to the next level.
What kind of knowledge and experience should you have?
As an Azure AI engineer, you analyze requirements for AI solutions, recommend the appropriate tools and technologies, and design and implement AI solutions that meet scalability and performance requirements. Your responsibilities include translating the vision from solution architects and working with data scientists, data engineers, IoT specialists, and software developers to build complete end-to-end solutions. If this describes your workday, this could be the certification for you.
How can you get ready?
To help you plan your journey, check out our infographic, The journey to Microsoft Certified: Azure AI Engineer Associate. You can also find it in the resources section on the certification and exam pages, which contains other valuable help for Azure AI engineers.
To map out your journey, follow the sequence in the infographic. First, decide whether this is the right certification for you.
Next, to understand what you’ll be measured on, review the Exam AI-100 skills outline guide on the exam page or check out the Exam AI-102 skills outline guide.
Sign up for training that fits your learning style and experience:
- For self-paced online training, choose curated learning paths on Microsoft Learn for Exam AI-100 or learning paths for Exam AI-102.
- If you prefer to learn from an instructor, choose instructor-led training from a Microsoft Learning Partner. Take a helpful course, like Designing and Implementing an Azure AI Solution.
Complement your training with additional resources, like Microsoft Docs, The Developer’s Guide to Azure, or the Azure Architecture Center.
After you pass the exam and earn your certification, check out the many other training and certification opportunities. Want to add to your skill set? Consider taking a machine learning course or exploring AI Business School.
Note: Remember that Microsoft Certifications assess how well you apply what you know to solve real business challenges. Our training resources are useful for reinforcing your knowledge, but you’ll always need experience in the role and with the platform.
Celebrate your Azure talents with the world
When you earn a certification or learn a new skill, it’s an accomplishment worth celebrating with your network. It often takes less than a minute to update your LinkedIn profile and share your achievements, highlight your skills, and help boost your career potential. Here’s how:
- If you’ve earned a certification already, follow the instructions in the congratulations email you received. Or find your badge on your Certification Dashboard, and follow the instructions there to share it. (You’ll be transferred to the Acclaim website.)
- To add specific skills, visit your LinkedIn profile and update the Skills and endorsements section. Tip: We recommend that you choose skills listed in the skills outline guide for your certification.
Keep your certification up to date
If you’ve already earned your Azure AI Engineer Associate certification, but it’s expiring in the near future, we’ve got good news. You’ll soon be able to renew your current certifications by passing a free renewal assessment on Microsoft Learn—anytime within six months before your certification expires. For more details, please read our blog post, Stay current with in-demand skills through free certification renewals.
It’s time to level up!
Your Microsoft Certification can help validate that you have the skills to stay ahead with today’s technology. It can also help empower you with a boost in confidence and job satisfaction—and maybe even a salary increase. Want to know more? In our blog post, Need another reason to earn a Microsoft Certification?, we offer 10 good reasons to earn your certification.
Future growth in many industries will be empowered by AI and the engineers who work with it. Whether you’re building mission-critical solutions to understand speech, make predictions, or analyze images, or you’re using bots to engage customers and empower employees, there are a lot of career doors to open. The Azure AI Engineer certification is a great opportunity to prove your skills and worth to current and future employers.
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