AI and Salesforce

Microsoft AI-900 Is Retiring on 30 June 2026: What South African IT Professionals Need to Know

By Geeks4Learning · 6 April 2026 · Updated 24 May 2026

With the Microsoft AI-900 exam retiring in 2026, this raises a strategic decision for anyone currently planning to build an AI career in South Africa.

Microsoft AI-900 Exam Retiring in 2026 — The Key Dates and Impact

Microsoft has confirmed that the AI-900 retirement will take place on 30 June 2026, as part of a wider refresh of its AI certification portfolio. This aligns with a broader move towards new AI-centric certifications focused on Azure OpenAI, Microsoft Foundry, and MLOps. Crucially, once the Microsoft AI-900 exam retiring in 2026 date passes, learners will no longer be able to sit the exam. However, for anyone holding this certification, it will remain valid — Fundamentals-level Microsoft certifications do not expire.

What the Microsoft AI-900 Exam Covers

AI-900: Microsoft Azure AI Fundamentals is an entry-level certification that validates the learner’s understanding of core AI and machine learning principles on Azure, without requiring any coding background. It covers the following key areas: AI workloads and considerations on Azure; machine learning fundamentals and model concepts; and computer vision, natural language processing, and generative AI features in Azure services. For IT professionals, learners, and career changers, it serves as a springboard for more advanced data, AI, and cloud roles.

Meet AI-901 Microsoft: The New Azure AI Fundamentals Replacement

AI-901 Microsoft Azure AI Fundamentals is the official Azure AI Fundamentals replacement for AI-900. It retains the same certification name (Microsoft Certified: Azure AI Fundamentals) but updates the skills content to reflect the latest Azure AI developments, particularly those related to Microsoft Foundry and generative AI. The AI-901 exam is entry-level and focuses on building and understanding AI applications and agents on Azure, with an emphasis on Azure AI Vision, Language, Speech, Azure OpenAI, and Foundry-based workflows. Unlike AI-900, some familiarity with Python coding syntax is recommended. Training content and the beta exam rolled out through early–mid 2026, with full availability expected around June 2026.

What Happens After AI-900 Retires?

If you are wondering what happens after AI-900 retires, the path is straightforward. The certification title continues under AI-901, but new candidates will be introduced to an updated skill set and tools such as Foundry. 

After the Microsoft AI-900 exam retiring in 2026, you keep your AI-900-based Azure AI Fundamentals qualification as it stays valid; new learners will follow AI-901 and its revised learning paths; and employers will increasingly require familiarity with Azure OpenAI and Foundry, which AI-901 targets directly. 

For professionals in South Africa, this means aligning future study plans with the availability of the AI-901 Microsoft exam, while still leveraging AI-900 as an on-ramp in the short term.

Is It Still Worth Finishing AI-900 Before June 2026?

If you are already preparing, it is well worth completing AI-900 before retirement. You will gain a recognised Fundamentals certification that does not expire, build a strong base in AI concepts that transfers directly into AI-901, and gain confidence with Azure AI services before tackling associated courses such as AI-102 or its successor AI-103. 

Learners targeting AI-901 South Africa and other markets can then opt for the newer exam when ready, reusing much of their existing AI-900 knowledge while updating for Foundry and generative AI changes. As the Microsoft AI-900 exam’s retirement date in 2026 approaches, treat this transition as an opportunity to future-proof your skills — commit to the new exam plan and consult an IT training expert about your AI career today.