Building learning communities: Microsoft MVPs making a difference with Microsoft Learn
Microsoft Learn continues to evolve with the help of our global community of Microsoft MVPs. MVPs build and sustain communities of learning by creating resources, organizing inclusive events, mentoring peers, connecting learners with the right content, and sharing feedback on Learn. Meet a few MVPs whose contributions are making a difference, both locally and globally. Muhammad Samiullah- Developer Technologies and Microsoft Azure MVP Muhammad is a Solution Engineer at Mazik Global and founder of the MLSA Karachi User Group, where he organizes community events in Karachi, Pakistan that connect students and learners with practical Azure skills. Through mentoring, sharing expertise at meetups, or highlighting helpful resources and Learn content, Muhammad helps developers in Pakistan build skills with Microsoft’s cloud technologies. He also shares feedback on Learn platform features like Plans to make them even more accessible and relevant for learners. In Muhammad’s own words: "My inspiration to contribute has always come from two passions: emerging technology and empowering the community. What began with the Microsoft Student Ambassador program has now grown into my journey as a Microsoft Most Valuable Professional, where I continue to share knowledge, create accessible learning experiences, and support students and professionals in their growth. Seeing the real impact of these contributions, whether through Microsoft Learn initiatives, mentorship, or community events, motivates me every day." Jonah Andersson- Microsoft Azure MVP Jonah is a Senior Azure Consultant, author of Learning Microsoft Azure, host of the podcast Extend Women in Tech, and founder of Azure User Group Sweden, where she hosts regular meetups to help developers learn cloud technologies. She’s dedicated to empowering others through mentorship, technical education, and advocacy for diversity in tech. Her inclusive approach and continuous sharing of Azure knowledge (for which she won a Nordic Women in Tech Award) have empowered countless developers in Sweden and beyond to advance their skills. In Jonah’s own words: "As an active learner and community leader, it inspires and motivates me to share what I know to others through tech communities via Microsoft Learn. It is a great platform to learn, collaborate, and connect with like-minded learners who want to upskill and learn as much as they can about AI, Azure, .NET and other Microsoft technologies. My personal mission is to keep learning by doing, by sharing, by teaching, and by inspiring others through the evolving technologies we have today. In my spare time, I’m learning more about AI, Azure AI, MCP servers, and other innovative topics." Kevin Chant- Data Platform MVP, MCT Kevin is a long-time Data Platform community leader. He has been involved in organizing community events, like co-founding a free online conference for the Data Platform community, and sharing practical tips and templates for data professionals on his blog. Kevin exemplifies how MVPs build up the community: he not only offers feedback that improves Learn content and features to support all learners but also creates spaces where people can learn from each other and succeed together. In Kevin’s own words: "I have always loved working with technology. Many people helped me when I first got involved with the Microsoft Data Platform community, as well as other areas. Now, I get to give back and share my knowledge and help steer the direction in many areas. I am passionate about helping others learn, so for me being involved with Microsoft Learn is a natural fit." Jack Lee- Microsoft Azure and Azure AI Foundry MVP Jack is a Senior Azure Certified Consultant, author, and a Cloud Solutions Architect who leads the North Toronto Cloud & DevOps User Group, organizing monthly meetups to help developers and IT pros grow in their careers. He shares Microsoft Learn content and cloud best practices on his blog, and has given talks at community events to spotlight new Azure and AI technologies. An experienced mentor, Jack has a knack for making complex cloud concepts accessible. His efforts have helped many discover helpful training resources on Learn and eased their onboarding into Azure and AI with clearer guidance and community support. In Jack’s own words: "As a community leader and an avid cloud and AI practitioner, I'm passionate about giving back by mentoring others, contributing to community initiatives, and helping peers navigate the ever-changing world of cloud and AI technologies. This is why I always advocate for the Microsoft Learn platform. Microsoft Learn is a dynamic hub which offers the latest official Microsoft documentation, best practices, and hands-on learning paths. Whether I am exploring new Azure services, deepening my understanding of AI frameworks and models, or preparing for certifications, Microsoft Learn helps me build skills that are both cutting-edge and highly relevant." Luke Murray- Microsoft Azure MVP Luke is a Cloud Architect and Microsoft Learn Expert who shares Microsoft Azure knowledge through his blog and local user groups. Based in New Zealand, he organizes community sessions and writes in-depth guides to help fellow professionals make the most of new Microsoft topics (for example, his blog post demystifying the Learn MCP Server). By combining technical insights with a passion for teaching, Luke has helped many IT pros and developers advance their skills via Microsoft Learn. In Luke’s own words: "It’s an honour to be part of such a supportive, collaborative, and inclusive community, where helping just one person can create a ripple effect. I’ve benefited from others’ support in my own journey, and believe that learning, failing, and trying new things (with a hint of stoicism: Ask yourself, “What’s the risk if you don’t?”) is what makes us all better. If you’re passionate about learning and sharing, join the Azure Cloud Commanders learning room for global conversations and opportunities." Continuing the journey together Each of these MVPs brings a unique perspective to Microsoft Learn, but all share a commitment to building stronger, more inclusive communities where everyone can succeed. If you’re an MVP or a community leader, we invite you to share your experiences, get involved in engagement opportunities, and help others discover the benefits of Microsoft Learn. Discover more about the Microsoft MVP program or explore ways to contribute on Microsoft Learn.Model Mondays S2:E4 Understanding AI Developer Experiences with Leo Yao
This week in Model Mondays, we put the spotlight on the AI Toolkit for Visual Studio Code - and explore the tools and workflows that make building generative AI apps and agents easier for developers. Read on for my recap. This post was generated with AI help and human revision & review. To learn more about our motivation and workflows, please refer to this document in our website. About Model Mondays Model Mondays is a weekly series designed to help you grow your Azure AI Foundry Model IQ step by step. Each week includes: 5-Minute Highlights – Quick news and updates about Azure AI models and tools on Monday 15-Minute Spotlight – Deep dive into a key model, protocol, or feature on Monday 30-Minute AMA on Friday – Live Q&A with subject matter experts from the Monday livestream If you're looking to grow your skills with the latest in AI model development, this series is a great place to begin. Useful links: Register for upcoming livestreams Watch past episodes Join the AMA on AI Developer Experiences Visit the Model Mondays forum Spotlight On: AI Developer Experiences 1. What is this topic and why is it important? AI Developer Experiences focus on making the process of building, testing, and deploying AI models as efficient as possible. With the right tools—such as the AI Toolkit and Azure AI Foundry extensions for Visual Studio Code—developers can eliminate unnecessary friction and focus on innovation. This is essential for accelerating the real-world impact of generative AI. 2. What is one key takeaway from the episode? The integration of Azure AI Foundry with Visual Studio Code allows developers to manage models, run experiments, and deploy applications directly from their preferred development environment. This unified workflow enhances productivity and simplifies the AI development lifecycle. 3. How can I get started? Here are a few resources to explore: Install the AI Toolkit for VS Code Explore Azure AI Foundry Documentation Join the Microsoft Tech Community to follow and contribute to discussions 4. What’s New in Azure AI Foundry? Azure AI Foundry continues to evolve to meet developer needs with more power, flexibility, and productivity. Here are some of the latest updates highlighted in this week’s episode: AI Toolkit for Visual Studio Code Now with deeper integration, allowing developers to manage models, run experiments, and deploy applications directly within their editor—streamlining the entire workflow. Prompt Shields Enhanced security capabilities designed to protect generative AI applications from prompt injection and unsafe content, improving reliability in production environments. Model Router A new intelligent routing system that dynamically directs model requests to the most suitable model available—enhancing performance and efficiency at scale. Expanded Model Catalog The catalog now includes more open-source and proprietary models, featuring the latest from Hugging Face, OpenAI, and other leading providers. Improved Documentation and Sample Projects Newly added guides and ready-to-use examples to help developers get started faster, understand workflows, and build confidently. My A-Ha Moment Before watching this episode, setting up an AI development environment always felt like a challenge. There were so many moving parts—configurations, integrations, and dependencies—that it was hard to know where to begin. Seeing the AI Toolkit in action inside Visual Studio Code changed everything for me. It was a realization moment: “That’s it? I can explore models, test prompts, and deploy apps—without ever leaving my editor?” This episode made it clear that building with AI doesn’t have to be complex or intimidating. With the right tools, experimentation becomes faster and far more enjoyable. Now, I’m genuinely excited to build, test, and explore new generative AI solutions because the process finally feels accessible. Coming Up Next Week In the next episode, we’ll be exploring Fine-Tuning and Distillation with Dave Voutila. This session will focus on how to adapt Azure OpenAI models to your unique use cases and apply best practices for efficient knowledge transfer. Register here to reserve your spot and be part of the conversation. Join the Community Building in AI is better when we do it together. That’s why the Azure AI Developer Community exists—to support your journey and provide resources every step of the way. Join the Discord for real-time discussions, events, and peer learning Explore the Forum to catch up on AMAs, ask questions, and connect with other developers About Me I'm Sharda, a Gold Microsoft Learn Student Ambassador passionate about cloud technologies and artificial intelligence. I enjoy learning, building, and helping others grow in tech. Connect with me: LinkedIn GitHub Dev.to Microsoft Tech CommunityAZ-500: Microsoft Azure Security Technologies Study Guide
The AZ-500 certification provides professionals with the skills and knowledge needed to secure Azure infrastructure, services, and data. The exam covers identity and access management, data protection, platform security, and governance in Azure. Learners can prepare for the exam with Microsoft's self-paced curriculum, instructor-led course, and documentation. The certification measures the learner’s knowledge of managing, monitoring, and implementing security for resources in Azure, multi-cloud, and hybrid environments. Azure Firewall, Key Vault, and Azure Active Directory are some of the topics covered in the exam.Announcing GitHub Universe Cloud Skills Challenge!
Join the GitHub Universe Cloud Skills Challenge and start your exiting journey in AI! Whether you’re beginning or looking to change your career, this learning experience is designed to introduce you to some of the most requested GitHub tools for AI beginners, and to explore new opportunities. Join the GitHub Universe Cloud Skills Challenge and start your exciting journey in AI!Embracing Responsible AI: Measure and Mitigate Risks for a Generative AI App in Azure AI Studio
Artificial intelligence has taken the world by storm, redefining the way businesses operate and innovate. Whether you're an experienced developer or a beginner looking to break into the world of AI, Azure AI Studio offers a robust platform for creating cutting-edge AI applications responsibly and securely. I recently had the opportunity to dive into the Microsoft Learn module: Measure and Mitigate Risks for a Generative AI App in Azure AI Studio. It’s an incredible resource that walks you through every step of building and refining a responsible AI application. Today, I’d like to share my experience and encourage you to embark on this journey too, gaining essential skills in the process.
Getting Started with Azure App Service: A Beginner's Guide to Web App Deployment
Dive into the world of Azure App Service with our comprehensive beginner's guide! Learn the step-by-step process of deploying your first web app using Azure. From navigating the Azure portal to mastering deployment via Azure CLI, unlock the secrets to seamless web app deployment. Get ready to elevate your skills and bring your projects to life with Azure App Service!
