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.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!Microsoft Learning Rooms Weekly Round up 09/11
Below is a summary of what is happening within our Learning Rooms (Groups) so that you can stay in the loop and discover something new. To get frequent updates of their content you must follow/join the group that interests you. Make sure to join one of our Learning Rooms (Groups) today! Learning Room (Group) Details Date/Time Link to discussion/event/blog Microsoft Fabric Café Using Generative AI on Structured Data (to query or modify data) Saturday, Sep 13, 2025, 07:00 AM PDT Using Generative AI on Structured Data (to query or modify data) | Microsoft Community Hub Microsoft Hero Community 🚀 Navigating the Azure AI Seas Saturday, Sep 13, 2025, 09:00 AM PDT 🚀 Navigating the Azure AI Seas 🌊🤖 | Microsoft Community Hub Azure Cloud Commanders Discussion posts Blogsite AI Voice Answer machine, [Share] GitHub Copilot Exercises Compliance and Purview Learning Room Discussion post Responsible AI Education Project Global Cloud & AI Community 🌟 Welcome to the Global Cloud & AI Community Learning Room! 🌟 Welcome to the Global Cloud & AI Community Learning Room... | Microsoft Community Hub Modern Development with Azure Integration and AI Knowledge base: How to build you modern APIs The fantastic duo: How to build your modern APIs | Microsoft Community Hub Modern Development with Azure Integration and AI Discussion post Call for Speakers - Azure AI Connect 2026 | Microsoft Community Hub Microsoft Hero Community September Calendar is HERE! September Calendar IS HERE! | Microsoft Community Hub
