Microsoft Azure AI Fundamentals
AI-901 Generative AI
Explain foundation models, prompts, grounding, responsible generative AI and Microsoft Foundry services. AI-901 is active after AI-900 retired, so this page focuses on current Microsoft guidance and scenario-based readiness.
Ready to begin?
Start preparing today
Build confidence with structured practice and clear guidance.
AI-901 generative AI preparation should connect official objectives to realistic practice. This guide uses original explanations and current AI-901 positioning so you do not waste time preparing for the retired AI-900 exam.
AI-901 replaced retired AI-900 for Azure AI Fundamentals.
Microsoft lists 700 as the passing score.
AI concepts plus Microsoft Foundry implementation awareness.
Use original scenarios, explanations and mixed review.
Quick Answer
AI-901 generative AI preparation should cover foundation models, prompts, grounding, copilots or agents, responsible controls and Microsoft Foundry at a fundamentals level. The goal is to understand how generative AI solutions are shaped, evaluated and kept useful.
Foundation Models
Foundation models are large models trained on broad data that can support tasks such as text generation, summarisation, classification, reasoning and code-related assistance. Candidates should understand the concept without needing expert model-training depth.
Exam Tip: AI-901 preparation should follow the current Microsoft exam page and study guide. Use older AI-900 material only when it still matches the AI-901 objectives.
| Area | What it covers | How to practise |
|---|---|---|
| AI concepts | Workloads, capabilities, responsible AI | Name the workload and decision clue. |
| Microsoft Foundry | Build, evaluate and manage AI apps or agents | Connect scenario to implementation step. |
| Machine learning | Classification, regression, clustering | Identify input, output and prediction type. |
| Vision and language | OCR, image analysis, speech, NLP | Read the data type before choosing service. |
| Generative AI | Prompts, grounding, foundation models | Identify source, risk and control. |
Prompts
Prompts are instructions or input given to a generative AI model. Better prompts provide context, task, format and constraints. Exam scenarios may ask how to improve output quality through clearer instructions.
Grounding
Grounding connects model responses to trusted information, such as enterprise documents or retrieved content. It is important when a chatbot must answer from approved sources instead of relying only on model memory.
Choose your plan
Practice with confidence
Select the plan that matches your preparation goals.
Responsible Generative AI
Generative AI creates risks such as hallucination, bias, privacy exposure and unsafe content. Responsible solutions use grounding, evaluation, content filtering, monitoring and human oversight where appropriate.
Microsoft Foundry Context
AI-901 includes implementing AI solutions by using Microsoft Foundry. Candidates should understand Foundry as a place to build, evaluate and manage AI apps and agents at a fundamentals level.
Scenario Example
If a company wants an assistant to answer HR policy questions, the strongest design uses approved HR documents, grounding, access controls and evaluation. A generic chatbot without trusted sources is weaker.
Exam Tip: AI-901 preparation should follow the current Microsoft exam page and study guide. Use older AI-900 material only when it still matches the AI-901 objectives.
Common Mistake
Candidates often think generative AI questions are only about prompts. AI-901 can also test grounding, safety, evaluation and the surrounding Azure implementation context.
Final Generative AI Advice
When reading a generative AI scenario, identify the user, the knowledge source, the risk and the control. That gives you the answer path.
Quick Answer Practice Depth
For AI-901 generative AI, turn this topic into a short practice routine. Read one scenario, identify the input and outcome, choose the workload or service, then explain why two alternative answers are weaker. This explanation-first habit is what makes practice valuable instead of passive memorisation.
When a question mentions a business goal, ask whether it needs prediction, classification, extraction, generation, translation, summarisation, grounding or governance. That simple checklist keeps your answer tied to the scenario and helps you avoid choosing a service name only because it sounds familiar.
Foundation Models Practice Depth
For AI-901 generative AI, turn this topic into a short practice routine. Read one scenario, identify the input and outcome, choose the workload or service, then explain why two alternative answers are weaker. This explanation-first habit is what makes practice valuable instead of passive memorisation.
When a question mentions a business goal, ask whether it needs prediction, classification, extraction, generation, translation, summarisation, grounding or governance. That simple checklist keeps your answer tied to the scenario and helps you avoid choosing a service name only because it sounds familiar.
Prompts Practice Depth
For AI-901 generative AI, turn this topic into a short practice routine. Read one scenario, identify the input and outcome, choose the workload or service, then explain why two alternative answers are weaker. This explanation-first habit is what makes practice valuable instead of passive memorisation.
When a question mentions a business goal, ask whether it needs prediction, classification, extraction, generation, translation, summarisation, grounding or governance. That simple checklist keeps your answer tied to the scenario and helps you avoid choosing a service name only because it sounds familiar.
Related AI-901 Guides
Use these guides to move from broad AI-901 preparation into the topic you need next.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is AI-901 the replacement for AI-900?
Yes. AI-900 retired on June 30, 2026, and AI-901 is the current route for Azure AI Fundamentals.
Is AI-901 beginner friendly?
Yes, but candidates should still understand Azure AI concepts, Microsoft Foundry basics and Python syntax at a fundamentals level.
What score do I need?
Microsoft lists a passing score of 700 for AI-901.
Can I use old AI-900 material?
Some concepts transfer, but your final preparation should follow current AI-901 objectives.
Does Heycademy copy official questions?
No. Heycademy uses original practice examples and explanations.
Where should I practise after reading?
Use the Heycademy quick test and app practice flow to move from reading into timed and untimed practice.
Use the Heycademy App With This Guide
If you already have access, you can log in to the Heycademy app and continue your AI-901 practice there. Use the app after reading this guide to move from advice into timed practice, explanations and focused review.
Ready to begin?
Start preparing today
Build confidence with structured practice and clear guidance.
Final Preparation Note
Before booking or taking the real exam, confirm the latest details on Microsoft Learn and follow the exam provider instructions. Heycademy is independent and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Microsoft.
This content uses original practice examples and avoids official or live exam questions.