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Microsoft · AI & Machine Learning · Entry

Microsoft Azure AI Fundamentals exam guide

Exam AI-901

AI-901 is the 2026 replacement-generation exam for Microsoft Certified: Azure AI Fundamentals. It proves you understand core AI and generative AI concepts and can implement simple AI solutions using Microsoft Foundry, with more than half the exam on hands-on Foundry usage rather than pure theory.

QuestionsSee official page
Time limitSee official page
Passing score700 (1-1000 scale)
Exam fee$99 USD
Valid forSee official page
DeliveryPearson VUE test center or online proctored

Format: Multiple choice, multiple response, drag-and-drop, case studies and other interactive item types. Fee note: US price; varies by country. Free vouchers are sometimes offered through Microsoft AI Skills events..

Who it's for

Developers, analysts, students and technical business staff who want a credible first AI credential on Azure and some practical exposure to building with Foundry and Python.

What the exam covers

Identify AI concepts and capabilities42%
Implement AI solutions by using Microsoft Foundry57%

Eligibility & prerequisites

Required: None

Recommended: Basic familiarity with Azure and cloud concepts and some exposure to Python; Microsoft positions the certification for building responsible AI solutions with Foundry and Python.

Keeping it active

Fundamentals certifications do not expire, so there is no renewal requirement.

Skills & careers

Skills it validates

  • Explaining machine learning, computer vision, NLP and generative AI workloads
  • Applying Microsoft's responsible AI principles
  • Deploying and testing models from the Microsoft Foundry model catalog
  • Building a basic chat or agent experience in Foundry
  • Using Foundry Tools for vision, speech, language and document extraction
  • Calling Foundry endpoints from simple Python code

Job roles

AI Developer (entry level)Junior Data ScientistCloud Support EngineerAI Product AnalystSolutions Engineer (pre-sales)

Where it fits in your path

Planning a degree too? See how this cert earns college credit in the College Credit Navigator.

Build my study plan

  1. Week 1: Complete the Microsoft Learn AI-901 path modules on AI concepts, generative AI and responsible AI.
  2. Week 2: Create a free Azure account and a Microsoft Foundry project; deploy a chat model from the catalog and test prompts in the playground.
  3. Week 3: Build small Python scripts that call Foundry model, vision and language endpoints; try a simple agent with a tool or file grounding.
  4. Week 4: Take the Microsoft practice assessment, fill gaps against the April 2026 skills outline, and book the exam.

Make it yours: pick your exam date and weekly hours. We'll split your time by domain weight and give you a printable plan.

Exam-day tips

  • More than half the score comes from implementing with Microsoft Foundry, so hands-on time in the portal matters more than memorizing definitions.
  • Expect Foundry branding throughout; older AI-900 material that references Azure AI Studio or Cognitive Services names will confuse you.
  • Be able to read short Python snippets that call Foundry endpoints and spot what they do.
  • Know the six responsible AI principles and match them to scenarios (fairness, reliability and safety, privacy and security, inclusiveness, transparency, accountability).
  • Practice choosing the right capability for a scenario: model deployment vs vision vs language vs document intelligence vs agent.

Key terms for this exam

All 60 terms Study with thinQcards™

Commonly confused on this exam

Frequently asked questions

What happened to AI-900?

AI-901 is the newer exam for the Azure AI Fundamentals certification, rebuilt around Microsoft Foundry. Check Microsoft Learn for whether AI-900 is still bookable in your region; new candidates should prepare for AI-901.

How much does AI-901 cost?

Microsoft fundamentals exams are $99 in the US; pricing varies by country.

Does Azure AI Fundamentals expire?

No. Microsoft fundamentals certifications do not expire.

Do I need to code for AI-901?

You do not write code during the exam, but the skills outline includes implementing solutions with Foundry and Python, so you should be able to read simple Python that calls AI endpoints.

AI-901 vs AI-103: which should I take?

AI-901 is the fundamentals exam. AI-103 is the associate-level developer exam for building AI apps and agents; take AI-901 first if you are new to Azure AI.

Official page: learn.microsoft.com. Reviewed November 2026. Vendors change fees and objectives, so confirm with the vendor before you book. Spot something out of date? Tell us.