Microsoft Azure AI Fundamentals Skills Focus

Overview

This course is funded through the Skills Focus programme.

The Skills Focus programme is open to NI based businesses with less than 250 employees. Charities and Community groups are not eligible for Skills Focus funding.

This four-day Azure AI Fundamentals course provides a comprehensive introduction to artificial intelligence, with a strong focus on how AI is applied using Microsoft Azure. Over the duration of the course, learners are guided through core topics such as machine learning principles, natural language processing, computer vision, and Azure’s AI services, with practical examples to show how these technologies solve real business challenges.

The course also includes hands-on activities, opportunities to practise key concepts, and guidance on prompt thinking and AI solution design at a foundational level. In addition to the technical basics, it covers important areas like responsible AI, including ethics, bias, and data privacy, helping learners understand both the benefits and risks of AI adoption.

Designed to be accessible for beginners as well as useful for non-technical professionals, the course builds confidence in understanding and discussing AI, and concludes with the opportunity to sit the AI-900 certification exam on the final day, enabling participants to leave with a recognised Microsoft qualification

Qualification Aim

The aim of this Azure AI Fundamentals qualification is to equip learners with a solid understanding of core artificial intelligence concepts and how they are applied using Microsoft Azure. It focuses on building knowledge of key AI workloads, including machine learning, natural language processing, and computer vision, while introducing the tools and services that support these solutions in real-world scenarios.

Learners will also develop an awareness of responsible AI practices, including ethics, bias, and data privacy, enabling them to confidently understand, discuss, and support AI initiatives within a business context

The course will be delivered online each day from 9:30am to 16:30pm

Dates:

Monday 3^rd August 2026

Tuesday 4^th August 2026

Monday 10^th August 2026

Tuesday 11^th August 2026

Wednesday 12^th August 2026- Online Prep & Exam

Qualification Objectives

• Develop an understanding of core artificial intelligence concepts and the different types of AI workloads, including machine learning, computer vision, natural language processing, and generative AI.

• Understand the fundamental principles of machine learning and how models are trained, evaluated, and applied within Azure.

• Identify and understand the purpose of key Azure AI services and how they are used to build real-world AI solutions.

• Explore how AI technologies can be used to analyse images and text and recognise their practical applications in business scenarios.

• Gain an awareness of generative AI capabilities and how they fit within the broader Azure AI offering

• Understand the principles of responsible AI, including fairness, privacy, security, transparency, and accountability

This is a 90% funded Skills Focus course.  Please see Entry Requirements tab for specific criteria.