Microsoft AI Tour: MVPs, Community, Connection, and the Future of AI

Imagine stepping into a room buzzing with energy, where experts and newcomers alike are exploring the future of AI together. That’s the energy of the Microsoft AI Tour - and it’s the Microsoft MVP community that helps make it truly special. The Microsoft AI Tour kicked off in Chicago and Toronto with an electric atmosphere, thanks in large part to the dedication and expertise of the MVP community. From hands-on workshops to thought-provoking lightning talks, MVPs stepped up in a variety of roles—sharing their knowledge, answering questions as independent experts, and helping attendees dive deeper into the world of AI.

Voices from the Community

MVP Alex Pshul led a talk at the Microsoft Toronto office on “OaaA - Office as an Architecture” which showed how AI agents with office-like roles can collaborate and debate, illustrating agentic architectures in a fun, practical way.

The evening before the Microsoft AI Tour Toronto event, MVPs Alex Pshul and Roy Kim organized and hosted the Code.Digest(“Coding AI Agents”); meetup for over 60 developers sparking collaboration and curiosity. Alex reflected, “Hosting Code.DigestI("Coding AI Agents"); the night before the AI Tour was one of those moments that reminded me why I started the Code.Digest user group in the first place. The excitement for the AI Tour was already in the air, especially with the addition of the Microsoft Cloud Advocate panelists and seeing a room full of developers who were curious, laughing, and experimenting with agentic systems together was incredibly rewarding. None of this would have been possible without the MVP program, whose connections, friendships, and support make it possible to bring people together and turn ideas into real, shared experiences.” The evening event was a fantastic way to build anticipation and generate excitement among developers, setting the stage for the Microsoft AI Tour kickoff in Toronto the next day.

MVP Amy Dolzine’s lightning talk at Microsoft AI Tour Toronto. Photo Credit: Ryan Singh

MVP Amy Dolzine’s lightning talk at the Microsoft AI Tour emphasized the importance of giving everyone in the department access to AI tools, sharing how her team balanced governance with innovation and built trust through targeted enablement. Amy’s inclusive approach led to surprising outcomes—both positive and challenging—as teams discovered new ways to collaborate and innovate.

RD and MVP Reza Rad shares his knowledge about Microsoft Fabric, Power BI and more at the Microsoft AI Tour Toronto.

How far would you travel for your community? For RD and MVP Reza Rad, the answer is over 8,500 miles (13,600+ kilometers) one way - crossing continents from New Zealand to Canada all for the chance to connect, share knowledge, and learn alongside fellow enthusiasts at the Microsoft AI Tour in Toronto.

Reza’s journey wasn’t just about distance—it was about the power of community.  “I don't see what I am doing there as work, but as a chance to meet people and make meaningful connections, we are people and the connection is what remains with us. It gave me a chance to meet many individuals in the region of Canada and many friends in the Microsoft community.”

Reza also shared about the new ideas or collaborations he took away from his time at the Microsoft AI Tour in Toronto. “I saw how enthusiastic everyone is about all AI, Copilot, Agents etc. and it impacted on the content that I produce for my blog and videos. I added a focus on these subject areas to help people in their everyday challenges with everything on the AI side that can help with Data Analytics side.”

Reza’s story is a reminder that learning and sharing go hand in hand—and sometimes, the path to growth means stepping far outside your comfort zone. How far would you travel for your community, to share your expertise, and to fuel your own learning?

MVP Deborah Jones is helping a Microsoft AI Tour attendee in Toronto find their local community.

MVP Deborah Jones highlighted the power of informal chats: “MVPs participating in events like the AI Tour brings a unique opportunity to truly connect with people. There is always someone who feels nervous to ask a question or worries they are behind. Those one-on-one, informal chats, where you never know what will be asked, create space for honesty, understanding, and real connection. People see that MVPs can be open about challenges, share experiences, and remind others that it is okay to still be learning. Technology moves fast, and none of us have it all figured out. These moments create small pockets of vulnerability and excitement for what comes next. They also give others a platform to share their wins and feel seen. That blend of expertise, empathy, and authenticity is what makes MVP participation so special.”

MVP Jack Lee sharing the North Toronto Cloud and DevOps User Group with attendees at the Microsoft AI Tour in Toronto.

MVP Jack Lee found fulfillment in sparking attendees’ journeys: “The most rewarding part of answering questions and engaging with attendees was seeing the excitement and curiosity in attendees' eyes when a concept clicked.  Helping someone understand how to use Cloud and AI tools effectively or showing them a new capability they had not explored before was incredibly fulfilling.  It reminded me why community involvement matters because it can spark someone else's journey into Cloud and AI.”

Looking Ahead

Beyond technical expertise, MVPs demonstrated a commitment to building community - connecting with developers, fostering meaningful conversations, and inspiring others to get involved. Their efforts enriched the Microsoft AI Tour experience for everyone, turning ideas into real, shared experiences.

With the Microsoft AI Tour off to such a strong start, it’s clear that the MVP community will continue to play a vital role in driving innovation, sharing knowledge, and building connections. Their passion and expertise are helping shape the future of AI—one event, one conversation, and one collaboration at a time.

The Microsoft AI Tour is visiting 40+ cities worldwide. Find your city and join us to connect with MVPs, learn from experts, and help shape the future of AI together.