Our commitment to help build AI skills in higher education
Last week, Microsoft announced a new set of commitments to ensure students and educators are equipped with the most critical skills to thrive in an AI-powered economy. These efforts are about more than access—they’re about impact. By delivering cutting-edge tools, training, and verified credentials, we’re helping faculty across all higher education institutions lead more confidently in the classroom and embrace all the ways that AI can accelerate growth for themselves and their students. Through faculty and educators, we’re preparing students everywhere to participate fully—and lead boldly—in the AI economy. Microsoft Learn for Educators AI Bootcamps at no cost—Limited-time offer To support institutions globally, we’re opening over 2,500 slots in our Microsoft Learn for Educators (MSLE) AI Bootcamps, available at no cost to all higher education faculty members. From September 15, 2025 through September 30, 2025, faculty from all disciplines can attend the Generative AI for Teaching Bootcamp, the Foundational AI Bootcamp, and the Cybersecurity and AI Bootcamp. All sessions are virtual, offered across multiple time zones, and taught in English, French, Spanish, Arabic, and Brazilian Portuguese. Whether faculty have a technical or non-technical background, these bootcamps provide valuable skills and resources to help them empower students for success in an AI-driven job market. Sign up today for an MSLE AI Bootcamp. Expanding AI skilling through community and technical college partnerships We recognize the unique value of community colleges in the United States. We’re excited to announce our partnerships with the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) and the National Applied AI Consortium (NAAIC) to help build AI skills and support AI adoption. Through these partnerships, we’ll provide training at no cost for community college faculty and staff, ultimately benefiting over 10 million students in the United States. These training sessions will help community college faculty prepare for in-demand AI credentials and certifications, including the Microsoft Azure AI Fundamentals certification. Faculty and staff can now sign up for the trainings that launch later this month at the NAAIC. As we look ahead, the opportunity to empower higher education faculty, and through them, millions of students, has never been more urgent or more promising. By working together across institutions, industries, and borders, we can ensure that every faculty member has the tools and confidence to lead in an AI-powered world.
Supercharge your workflow with real-time information from the Microsoft Learn MCP Server
Stay focused and on track by connecting your AI agents directly to trusted Microsoft documentation. With the shift toward more AI-powered workplaces, developers and IT teams are spending less time searching the web and more time relying on AI tools and agents for help. But AI is only as good as the knowledge it can access—and even the most advanced AI models are working with information that has knowledge cutoffs, meaning their resources can be months out of date. Outdated or incomplete information can lead to errors, inefficiencies, and compliance issues. That’s where a new standard is emerging: Model Context Protocol (MCP) Servers. They connect AI agents directly to trusted, real-time data sources, so answers are accurate, relevant, and up to date. With the Microsoft Learn MCP Server, your AI agents can tap directly into official Microsoft product knowledge, right inside your development environment or workflow. No browser hopping. No guesswork. Just faster, more accurate results with AI guidance that helps you streamline your workflow and grow your skills while solving real-world problems. What is the Microsoft Learn MCP Server? Think of the Microsoft Learn MCP Server as your direct line to official Microsoft documentation—delivered to your AI Agent, in real time, in context, without leaving the tools you already use. Whether you’re coding in Visual Studio Code, prompting GitHub Copilot, or building a custom AI assistant, the Learn MCP Server brings relevant guidance to your fingertips. There’s no need to create custom connectors or install extra components. The service uses lightweight, streamable HTTP, so it works seamlessly with almost any MCP-compatible tool. The Learn MCP Server provides multiple ways for AI agents to surface the right information: Focused excerpts: The server can search Microsoft content and return up to 10 chunks of high-quality information—each with a title, URL, and self-contained passage. Full technical documentation: When broader context is needed, the Learn MCP Server can fetch complete pages, giving agents richer, more contextual information than a chunk alone could provide. Together, these built-in tools are designed to quickly provide you with the information you need by giving AI agents the flexibility to retrieve information in the format that best fits the task at hand—whether that’s targeted excerpts or a complete page of documentation. Microsoft Learn MCP Server If you’re a developer, that means you’ll have real-time access to definitive Microsoft resources, delivered at the right level of detail to help you solve complex problems, write high-quality code, streamline workflows, and build smarter AI agents. If you’re a technology leader, you’ll be able to equip your teams with smarter tools that provide timely, reliable resources, opening up new ways to learn and work more efficiently and effectively. Unlock smarter agentic experiences with the Microsoft Learn MCP Server Here are a few ways you can start putting Learn MCP to work: Create help desk agents that resolve tickets in minutes. Picture a support agent tackling a tricky issue. Instead of digging through pages of search results, their AI assistant pulls exact, up-to-date documentation from Microsoft Learn right into the workflow. The result? Faster resolution times, reduced escalations, and higher customer satisfaction. Develop onboarding agents that feel like personal coaching. New hires often spend weeks finding their footing, but with AI-guided Microsoft Learn resources tailored to each role, they can quickly ramp up on the tools they'll use every day—like Microsoft 365, Azure, or Dynamics 365—and build skills and confidence faster. Build more secure apps with confidence. By connecting GitHub Copilot agent mode to the Microsoft Learn MCP Server, your AI assistant can access the latest secure development practices and requirements, helping you identify vulnerabilities in open-source packages, validate configurations, and flag risky dependencies before they reach production. We’re continuing to expand what’s possible with the Learn MCP Server, so your AI agents can do even more, with even greater accuracy. In the coming weeks, a new capability will enable agents to access precise, ready-to-use code samples that improve the reliability and quality of AI-generated development work. These enhancements will make it even easier for you to build intelligent, context-aware AI agents, backed by the most current Microsoft product knowledge to help teams maximize productivity, stay secure, and deliver more value. Try it for yourself MCP servers are rapidly gaining traction as the standard for connecting AI agents to high-value, trustworthy data sources—a critical capability as organizations race to adopt AI responsibly. Microsoft Learn is already helping developers and technology leaders put this standard into practice, both by helping learners gain the skills needed to build AI agents and by enhancing the way those agents deliver knowledge to people in the flow of work. By embedding official Microsoft product knowledge directly into your workflows, you can make better decisions, accelerate development cycles, streamline operations, and avoid the pitfalls of outdated information. It’s all part of Microsoft Learn’s commitment to helping people use AI more effectively and with confidence. Explore the Learn MCP Server: Follow the step by step documentation to get started. Watch the demo video to see the Learn MCP Server in action. Visit the GitHub repository for installation guidance and troubleshooting. Walk through setting up the Learn MCP Server in Visual Studio Code with Microsoft MVP Luke Murray.Start Smart with AI Builder: Prompts, Power Platform, and Pro Tips
🚀 Start Smart with AI Builder: Prompts, Power Platform, and Pro Tips AI Builder makes it easier than ever to bring AI into Power Automate and Power Apps—but where should you begin? Join us in this fun and fast-paced session where you’ll learn the six essential things you need to know to get started the right way: ✅ Understanding licensing and credits ✅ Managing admin and governance settings ✅ Crafting the perfect custom prompt ✅ Using prompts in Power Automate ✅ Extending value into Power Apps ✅ Sharing, solutions, and real-world use cases We’ll also walk through the interface, review cost & performance considerations, and show you how to create scalable, AI-enhanced experiences that stick. Whether you’re a seasoned Power Platform pro or just starting your AI journey, this session will give you the confidence to automate smarter with AI Builder. Don’t miss it – save the date and join us! 🗓️ Date: 20 September 2025 ⏰ Time: 18:00 (CEST) 🎙️ Speaker: Pam DeGraffenreid 📌 Topic: Start Smart with AI Builder: Prompts, Power Platform, and Pro Tips
Blogsite AI Voice Answer machine
Hi all, I wanted to quickly to write to show how I thought about building a system based on Azure to allow my blogsite to answer questions about a blog post that a reader may suddenly have in their mind while reading through the post to extend learning. The basic flow is: -User loads a blog post -On load, the page populates 3 buttons a third of the way in the page, each with randomly AI generated questions related to the page that a reader might ask about the page content -On clicking a button, the question is answered through voice, with the answer being 'just' enough to answer the question without being over-bearing (at least that's my feeling!) The architecture is constructed as the following: I wrote in full on how I did this for my blog here : https://www.imaginarium.dev/voice-ai-for-blog/ I wanted to perhaps hear on if I was missing anything here on the design, security considerations particularly on the Azure side? Any ways to improve on the AI Voice implementation? I'm using the Azure OpenAI neural voices at the moment. Gemini voices lately are really good too!! I even thought about using a custom neural voice of my own but I ran into issues when trying to do that within Azure due to not having an enterprise subscription readily available to be allowed this capability. Thoughts?Announcing the Microsoft AI Skills Fest: Save the date!
*Updated as of March 28, 2025 The best way to learn something new is by taking it one step at a time. We know all this talk of AI can be overwhelming, so how about we take it one skill at a time? At Microsoft, our mission has always been to create technology that empowers others to innovate and solve real-world problems. And it’s no different with AI—we want to help you learn to use this powerful technology to make your life easier, especially as it becomes an integral part of our daily lives. Sometimes, starting is the hardest part, so we want to make that part simple for you. This is why we’re excited to announce the Microsoft AI Skills Fest, a global event this April and May, designed to bring learners across the globe together to build their AI skills, from beginner explorers to the technologically gifted. Together, we can learn a new AI skill and maybe even set a groundbreaking record at the same time! Everyone everywhere is invited The AI Skills Fest is designed with you in mind, offering a wide variety of AI training for everyone, regardless of background or expertise. Join us to build your AI skills and unlock new opportunities for productivity, innovation, and growth. Tech professionals. Learn how to quickly build AI-powered solutions using Microsoft's AI apps and services. Gain skills and experience working with agents, AI security, Azure AI Foundry, GitHub Copilot, Microsoft Fabric, and more. Business professionals. Find out how much easier your work life can be when you use Microsoft Copilot to simplify tasks and let your creativity loose! Students. Explore technical skills to bring your ideas to life, with AI learning experiences for all skill levels and interests. Business leaders. Empower your teams with AI skills for future success through curated upskilling opportunities. Let’s earn a GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS™ title together on April 8, 2025! The Microsoft AI Skills Fest will begin with a spectacular Kickoff Celebration on April 8, 2025. Starting in Australia at 9 AM Australian Eastern Standard Time and wrapping up in the United States at 4 PM Pacific Daylight Time, this 24-hour, globe-spanning event will feature a variety of AI learning activities designed to engage and inspire learners of all experience levels. Together, we’ll have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to attempt a GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS™ title for most users to take an online multi-level artificial intelligence lesson in 24 hours. Don’t miss this unique chance to learn, compete, and celebrate your achievements—and to be part of these unprecedented and record-setting global festivities. Check out the learning experiences we've prepared for this day. Mark your calendar and register now. Deepen your skills over 50 days of AI learning The celebration doesn't stop there! Following the kickoff, the AI Skills Fest will continue for 50 days— through May 28, 2025—offering a wide array of learning opportunities. Whether you're a tech professional, business leader, business professional, student, or AI enthusiast, there will be engaging and challenging training for you. Participate in hackathons, live in-person and virtual training, self-paced tutorials, on-demand training, community events, Microsoft Learn Challenges, and more. Mark your calendar for 50 days of AI discovery and learning. The countdown to make history together Save the date, attempt a world record, and get ready to unlock the future with 50 days of AI discovery and learning. Read all the details and register now. Now let’s get learning!Call for Speakers - Azure AI Connect 2026
Call for Speakers: Shape the Conscience of AI at AI Connect 2026 Greetings Innovators, Builders, and Thinkers, Last year at AI Connect, we celebrated the dawn of a new age. Today, we stand in the bright, intense light of that new day. Artificial Intelligence is no longer a future promise; it is a present reality, reshaping our world with astonishing speed. With this incredible power comes a profound responsibility. The most important work is no longer just about building more capable AI, but about building more conscionable AI. AI Connect is a 5-day event dedicated to this mission. We are calling for the boldest minds in the field to guide the conversation. We will move beyond the "how" of technology to confront the "why" and "what if." We will ask the hard questions: As we develop powerful new tools, are we architecting a better future? How do we embed our values into the silicon and code that will define the next generation of intelligence? We seek speakers who can illuminate the path forward. If you are working on, researching, or have a powerful perspective on the following, we want to hear from you: Key Themes for Discussion: The follwing are some ideas. This is an orientation list, we will look into ALL submissions even if they are not aligned with the main theme! Architecting Trust: Sessions on Explainability (XAI), fairness audits, bias mitigation, and creating transparent AI systems that earn human trust. The Agent & The Collective: Exploring the potential and pitfalls of autonomous agents, A2A communication, and multi-agent systems. Are they a force for unprecedented progress or unmanageable complexity? From Model to Mandate: Practical sessions on implementing responsible AI governance, navigating the regulatory landscape, and creating ethical frameworks that stick. Securing the Future: Deep dives into AI safety, alignment research, data privacy, and robust defenses against adversarial attacks. Generative AI in the Wild: Real-world case studies on deploying LLMs and generative tools responsibly, focusing on reducing harm, grounding in truth, and delivering real value. AI for Humanity: Inspiring stories and technical breakdowns of how AI is being used to tackle global challenges in climate, healthcare, education, and social equity. Why Lend Your Voice to AI Connect? Drive the Agenda: Help set the direction for the responsible development of AI. Elevate Your Impact: Share your work with an engaged audience of professionals and leaders. Build Your Network: Connect with peers who share your passion for ethical technology. Inspire the Next Generation: Your insights can empower hundreds of others to build with purpose. Feel free to partner with a colleague for a joint session to offer a richer, more diverse viewpoint. Session Format: Sessions are 60 minutes in length, designed to be interactive and leave a lasting impression.The Adecco Group’s AI skill-building strategy powers talent, client impact
AI’s rapid evolution is reshaping how work gets done, and that means it’s also transforming the job market. The Adecco Group, a global leader in workforce solutions that supports more than 100,000 companies in over 60 countries and regions, understands firsthand the increasing demand for AI skills. The company recognizes a clear need to skill up for and adopt AI pervasively. This applies not only internally to improve its own business operations but also externally to help its job seekers and candidates build the AI skills needed to remain relevant in today’s labor market. With this dual challenge in mind, The Adecco Group launched a comprehensive AI strategy that focused on four key areas: sales and demand generation, operational efficiency, product development, and customer experience. The company incorporated this strategy into its overall learning culture, embedding AI across operations to automate tasks and equipping employees with the skills to apply AI effectively in daily work and client interactions. The results are significant. Recruiters have increased productivity by 63%, the company’s AI-driven CV Maker has generated more than 200,000 résumés, and 30,000 employees have completed responsible AI training. Microsoft 365 Copilot has helped the company to streamline internal operations, particularly in recruitment and administrative tasks, freeing time for more strategic work. The Adecco Group remains committed to leading the way with AI skill-building, helping to ensure that its workforce is prepared for the opportunities ahead. To find out how The Adecco Group’s success can inspire your organization, read the new case study, The Adecco Group’s AI skilling strategy fuels productivity with Microsoft Copilot.Revolutionising DevOps with AI: From Pipelines to Deployment
AI Meets DevOps: Transforming the Future of Application Delivery 🚀 In today’s rapidly evolving tech landscape, the fusion of AI and DevOps is reshaping how we build, test, and deploy applications. 🌐⚡ Join us for an engaging and insightful session where we dive into the next wave of innovation: ✅ AI-Powered DevOps Pipelines – Enhance workflows, automate tasks, and drive efficiency. ✅ Smart Lint Tests – Maintain top code quality with AI-driven linting. ✅ AI Infrastructure on Azure – Deploy scalable, secure, and production-ready AI models. ✅ PSRule for Azure – Enforce governance & compliance seamlessly in your pipelines. 🔹 Whether you’re a developer, DevOps engineer, or AI enthusiast, this session will equip you with practical strategies to modernise your pipelines with AI on Azure. 📅 Don’t miss this opportunity to upskill and get inspired! 🗓️ Date: 28 August 2025 ⏰ Time: 19:30 (AEST) / 11:30 (CEST) 🎙️ Speaker: AJ Bajada 📌 Topic: Revolutionising DevOps with AI: From Pipelines to Deployment
