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Microsoft Azure AI Fundamentals (AI-900)

Microsoft Azure AI Fundamentals validates foundational knowledge of AI concepts and Azure AI services for beginners.

Exam fee
$99
Typical salary
$75K–$100K
Our verdict

Great for newcomers who want a solid grounding in AI and Azure services without deep technical prerequisites. Those seeking advanced or role‑specific certifications should look at higher‑level Azure AI exams.

What AI-900 covers

Foundational certification covering AI and machine learning concepts and Microsoft Azure AI services including Computer Vision, NLP, and Conversational AI.

Key topics covered: AI and ML concepts, Machine learning on Azure, Computer vision services, Natural language processing, Conversational AI & Azure Bot Service.

Best suited for: Anyone interested in understanding AI fundamentals and Azure AI offerings.

Common career paths: Junior AI Specialist, Data Analyst, Business Analyst, Product Manager.

Best forAnyone starting a career in AI or data roles who needs a vendor‑neutral foundation on Azure’s AI portfolio.

AI-900 exam details

Exam domains

  1. AI and ML concepts
  2. Machine learning on Azure
  3. Computer vision services
  4. Natural language processing
  5. Conversational AI & Azure Bot Service

At a glance

Exam fee
$99

How to prepare for AI-900

StageWhat to doTime
1Understand AI fundamentals
Review core AI concepts, workloads and considerations as outlined in the exam description.
Week 1
2Learn Azure machine‑learning basics
Study the fundamental principles of machine learning on Azure, including core services and terminology.
Week 2
3Explore computer‑vision services
Dive into Azure’s computer‑vision capabilities, understanding key features and typical use cases.
Week 3
4Study NLP and generative AI on Azure
Cover natural language processing workloads and the emerging generative AI features available in Azure.
Week 4
5Hands‑on practice and review
Use free practice assessments and hands‑on labs to reinforce knowledge and identify gaps.
Week 5
6Final mock exam
Take a timed practice test to gauge readiness and focus on any remaining weak areas.
Week 6

Jobs and salary with AI-900

People holding this certification commonly report pay around $75K–$100K. Pay depends heavily on role, location and total experience. See the salary breakdown.

Roles this certification supports

Junior AI SpecialistData AnalystBusiness AnalystProduct ManagerAI‑focused Business Analyst

AI-900 questions answered

What is the Microsoft Azure AI Fundamentals (AI-900) certification?

Microsoft Azure AI Fundamentals validates foundational knowledge of AI concepts and Azure AI services for beginners. It is issued by Microsoft and sits in the Data & AI field.

Is Microsoft Azure AI Fundamentals (AI-900) hard?

Microsoft Azure AI Fundamentals (AI-900) is rated Beginner. Most candidates can prepare without prior professional experience in the field.

How much does the Microsoft Azure AI Fundamentals (AI-900) exam cost?

The listed exam fee is $99. Fees vary by country and change over time, so confirm the current price with Microsoft before you book.

What salary can I expect with Microsoft Azure AI Fundamentals (AI-900)?

Professionals with Microsoft Azure AI Fundamentals (AI-900) commonly report pay in the $75K–$100K range. Actual pay depends on role, location and total experience.

How should I prepare for Microsoft Azure AI Fundamentals (AI-900)?

Start with the official exam outline, build hands-on practice for each domain, then finish with timed practice questions. The study plan on this page breaks this into steps.

Alternatives to AI-900

CertificationVendorLevel
Microsoft Azure Data Fundamentals (DP-900)MicrosoftBeginner
Google Cloud Professional Data EngineerGoogle CloudAdvanced
AWS Machine Learning Specialty (MLS-C01)Amazon Web ServicesAdvanced
IBM Data Science Professional CertificateIBMBeginner
IBM Data Analyst Professional CertificateIBMBeginner

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