AI-900 vs AI-901: Key Changes in Microsoft Azure AI Fundamentals Certification

The AI-901 exam replaces the retiring AI-900 and focuses on practical Azure AI solution development, emphasizing responsible AI, generative AI, Microsoft Foundry, and hands‑on skills with Azure services such as vision, speech, and text analysis. It targets beginners and non‑technical users, requiring basic cloud concepts and Python familiarity. Preparing with updated AI-901 practice questions and solidifying core Azure AI concepts are recommended for success.

Microsoft is making an important change to the Microsoft Certified: Azure AI Fundamentals certification path. The current AI-900: Microsoft Azure AI Fundamentals exam will retire on June 30, 2026, and it will be replaced by the new AI-901 exam. Candidates who are currently preparing for AI-900 can still take and pass the exam before the retirement date. After AI-900 retires, candidates will continue to earn the same Azure AI Fundamentals certification by passing AI-901. This change is especially important for students, beginners, career changers, IT professionals, developers, and business users who are interested in building a strong foundation in artificial intelligence and Microsoft Azure AI services.

Why This Certification Still Matters for AI Beginners
The Microsoft Certified: Azure AI Fundamentals certification is designed for candidates who are at the beginning of their AI learning journey. It gives learners a practical way to prove that they understand essential AI concepts, machine learning principles, and Azure services used to create AI solutions. This certification is valuable because artificial intelligence is becoming part of many business systems, cloud platforms, customer service tools, automation workflows, and software development projects. Whether a candidate has a technical background or comes from a non-technical role, this certification can help demonstrate readiness to understand and discuss AI solutions in a Microsoft Azure environment.

What AI-900 Covers Before Its Retirement
The AI-900 exam focuses on foundational knowledge of AI workloads and the basic principles of artificial intelligence and machine learning. Candidates preparing for AI-900 should understand common AI workloads, responsible AI considerations, machine learning concepts, computer vision, natural language processing, and generative AI features on Azure. It is a beginner-level exam, so candidates do not need professional experience in data science or software engineering. However, basic knowledge of cloud concepts and client-server applications can make the preparation process easier and more effective.

What Makes the New AI-901 Exam Different
The new AI-901 exam keeps the Azure AI Fundamentals certification at the beginner level, but it reflects the newer direction of AI solution development on Microsoft Azure. Compared with AI-900, AI-901 places more attention on foundational technical skills for working with AI solutions in Azure. Candidates should have conceptual knowledge of Azure-based AI solutions, familiarity with Azure resources, and an understanding of Python coding syntax and programming techniques. This does not mean AI-901 is only for experienced developers, but it does mean future candidates should be more comfortable with technical concepts than many AI-900 candidates were expected to be.

AI-900 vs AI-901: Key Differences at a Glance
Item
AI-900
AI-901
Exam Status
Retiring on June 30, 2026
New replacement exam
Certification Path
Microsoft Certified: Azure AI Fundamentals
Microsoft Certified: Azure AI Fundamentals
Main Focus
Foundational AI workloads, machine learning concepts, and Azure AI services
Azure AI solution concepts, Azure resources, Python basics, and practical AI solution skills
Technical Requirement
No coding experience required
Familiarity with Python syntax and programming techniques is helpful
Best For
Beginners who want to complete the current exam before retirement
Candidates who want to follow the newest Microsoft Azure AI certification path

Which Exam Should You Choose?
Your Situation
Recommended Choice
You are already preparing for AI-900
Continue preparing and take AI-900 before June 30, 2026.
You are just starting your preparation
Consider preparing for AI-901 to follow the newest exam path.
You have little or no coding background
AI-900 may be easier to complete before retirement.
You want to build stronger Azure AI solution skills
AI-901 is a better long-term choice.
You plan to continue toward advanced Microsoft AI certifications
AI-901 can help you build a more updated foundation.
Important Timeline for Candidates
 

Date
What Happens
Before June 30, 2026
Candidates can still take AI-900 to earn the Azure AI Fundamentals certification.
June 30, 2026
AI-900 officially retires.
After June 30, 2026
Candidates need to pass AI-901 to earn the Azure AI Fundamentals certification.
 

Best Preparation Tips for AI-900 and AI-901 Candidates
To prepare well, candidates should first confirm which exam they plan to take and then study the correct objectives. For AI-900, focus on AI workloads, responsible AI, machine learning basics, computer vision, natural language processing, and generative AI on Azure. For AI-901, spend more time understanding Azure AI solution concepts, Microsoft Foundry, Python basics, Azure resources, and practical AI implementation scenarios. It is also helpful to practice with exam-style questions, review weak areas regularly, and connect each topic with real Azure AI use cases. A strong preparation plan should combine concept review, hands-on learning, and repeated practice. Choosing the latest AI-901 practice exam from Passcert can be a good choice for your success, especially if you want to become familiar with updated question formats and key exam objectives. A strong preparation plan should combine concept review, hands-on learning, and repeated practice.

Final Thoughts on the AI-900 Retirement and AI-901 Replacement
The retirement of AI-900 and the introduction of AI-901 show that Microsoft is updating its Azure AI Fundamentals certification to match the changing AI landscape. AI is no longer only about understanding definitions and concepts; candidates are now expected to understand how AI solutions are created, supported, and used in cloud environments. For anyone interested in pursuing Microsoft Certified: Azure AI Fundamentals, the key is to choose the right exam based on your timeline and current skills. Take AI-900 before June 30, 2026 if you are already prepared, or move toward AI-901 if you want to follow the newest Microsoft Azure AI certification path.