AI-901: Microsoft Azure AI Fundamentals (Updated)
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Interactive Study Guide
Each module covers one exam topic with plain-English explanations, real-world scenarios, and built-in practice. Everything you need to understand and retain the material — no tab-switching required.
Domain 1: AI Concepts and Capabilities ›
Domain 2: Implement AI Solutions Using Foundry ›
Exam Resources
Official learning paths, exam details, skills measured, and community resources to supplement your study.
Exam Quick Facts
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Exam Code | AI-901 |
| Title | Microsoft Azure AI Fundamentals (Updated) |
| Level | Fundamentals |
| Pass Score | 700 / 1000 |
| Duration | 45 minutes |
| Questions | ~40-60 |
| Cost | $99 USD (varies by region) |
| Scheduling | Pearson VUE |
Study Resources
| Resource | Link |
|---|---|
| Official Exam Page | Microsoft Learn — AI-901 |
| Exam Sandbox | Try the exam interface |
Who is this exam for?
This Microsoft AI certification covers artificial intelligence concepts and Azure AI services. It tests your understanding of AI workloads, machine learning, and how to implement AI solutions using Azure. This is a fundamentals-level exam — no hands-on experience is required, though basic IT knowledge helps.
Skills Measured
Per Microsoft’s AI-901 study guide (skills as of 15 April 2026):
Domain 1 — Identify AI concepts and capabilities (40–45%)
- Describe principles of responsible AI — fairness, reliability and safety, privacy and security, inclusiveness, transparency, accountability
- Identify AI model components and configurations — how generative AI models work, choosing an appropriate AI model, model deployment options and configuration parameters
- Identify AI workloads — generative + agentic AI, text analysis, speech, computer vision, information extraction
Domain 2 — Implement AI solutions by using Microsoft Foundry (55–60%)
- Implement generative AI apps and agents by using Foundry — effective system and user prompts, deploy and interact with models in the Foundry portal, lightweight chat clients using the Foundry SDK, single-agent solutions in the Foundry portal, agent client applications
- Implement AI solutions for text and speech by using Foundry — text analysis, multimodal-model spoken-prompt responses, Azure Speech in Foundry Tools
- Implement AI solutions with computer vision and image-generation by using Foundry — interpret visual input via deployed multimodal models, generate new visual outputs, vision-enabled lightweight apps
- Implement AI solutions for information extraction by using Foundry — extract from documents/forms/images/audio/video using Azure Content Understanding in Foundry Tools
Note: Microsoft Learn shows the page-level “Skills earned upon completion” bullets as “Loading…” while AI-901 is still in beta. The domain structure and percentages above are confirmed; sub-bullets may evolve before GA. Check the study guide for the latest.
What to Study Next
Based on this exam, here are related certifications to consider:
- AI-103: Azure AI App and Agent Developer Associate — Associate 🧪 Beta
- AI-200: Azure AI Cloud Developer Associate — Associate 🧪 Beta
- AI-300: Machine Learning Operations (MLOps) Engineer Associate — Associate 🧪 Beta
Quick Links
Frequently asked questions
The AI-901 questions I’m getting right now — almost all from people deciding between this and the retiring AI-900, or wondering if a beta exam is worth taking.
Should I take AI-901 or wait for it to leave beta? #
What's the difference between AI-900 and AI-901? #
Is AI-901 beta different from the final exam? #
How long does it take to prepare for AI-901? #
Is AI-901 enough to start a career in AI? #
Compare AI-901 across AWS & Google Cloud → Cert Compass
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Should I take AI-901 or wait for it to leave beta?
Take it now if you want the 80% beta discount — beta exams typically cost around $20 USD instead of $99. Beta means Microsoft is still calibrating scoring, so results take 2-3 months to come back instead of immediately. The credential you earn is identical to the GA version once it launches. If you don't want to wait for scoring, take [AI-900](/cert-tracker/ai-900/) before it retires 2026-06-30 (immediate result, $99). If you want maximum discount and don't mind waiting for scoring, AI-901 beta.
2. What's the difference between AI-900 and AI-901?
AI-901 is Microsoft's updated AI Fundamentals exam (replacing [AI-900](/cert-tracker/ai-900/), which retires 2026-06-30). Same level, same 45-minute / 40-60 question format, same $99 cost post-beta. AI-901 has stronger focus on generative AI (Azure OpenAI, Foundry, Copilot), agents, and current prompt engineering patterns. AI-900's content is mostly accurate but missing the post-2025 services. If you're starting prep now, AI-901 stays current longer.
3. Is AI-901 beta different from the final exam?
Content is the same — Microsoft beta exams use the production question bank for scoring calibration, so what you study covers what you'll see. The difference is process: scoring takes 2-3 months (Microsoft uses beta results to set passing scores), and the price is 80% off. Once enough candidates have taken the beta and scoring is calibrated, AI-901 moves to GA with immediate scoring at the standard $99 price.
4. How long does it take to prepare for AI-901?
Two to four weeks of part-time study for most beginners. The exam covers 2 domains per [Microsoft's published skills (15 Apr 2026)](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/credentials/certifications/resources/study-guides/ai-901): identifying AI concepts and responsibilities (40-45%) and implementing AI solutions using Microsoft Foundry (55-60%). The Foundry-implementation domain is the largest and most-tested — Python coding basics plus hands-on knowledge of Foundry portal, Foundry SDK, Foundry Tools, and Content Understanding are essential. Start there if you're new to building with Foundry.
5. Is AI-901 enough to start a career in AI?
Honest answer — no. AI-901 is the vocabulary cert; it signals understanding of Azure AI services. To land an AI-adjacent role, pair it with an associate cert ([AI-102](/cert-tracker/ai-102/) for engineers, [AI-200](/cert-tracker/ai-200/) for cloud developers, [AB-731](/cert-tracker/ab-731/) for business strategy) plus a portfolio of small built projects (Copilot Studio agents, Azure OpenAI POCs, prompt engineering case studies). Fundamentals alone get your CV past the keyword filter; the build portfolio gets the interview.