Azure AI Fundamentals (AI-900) Study Guide (for Raymond Rhine) (Tom Taulli)（Z-Library）

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Praise for Azure AI Fundamentals (AI- 900) Study Guide This book provides a practical and straightforward, easy to follow roadmap to prepare you for your Microsoft Azure AI certification. —Mike Mulray, senior executive, property & casualty insurance industry This is an outstanding resource for anyone looking to break into AI with Microsoft Azure. I like how it simplifies complex AI concepts with real-world examples, making it accessible even for those new to the field. The structured approach and hands-on insights make this a must-read for anyone preparing for the AI-900 exam. I highly recommend it! —Gaurav Deshmukh, senior software engineer tech lead, Guidewire Software

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Azure AI Fundamentals (AI-900) Study Guide In-Depth Exam Prep and Practice Tom Taulli

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Azure AI Fundamentals (AI-900) Study Guide by Tom Taulli Copyright © 2025 Tom Taulli. All rights reserved. Printed in the United States of America. Published by O’Reilly Media, Inc., 1005 Gravenstein Highway North, Sebastopol, CA 95472. O’Reilly books may be purchased for educational, business, or sales promotional use. Online editions are also available for most titles (http://oreilly.com). For more information, contact our corporate/institutional sales department: 800-998-9938 or corporate@oreilly.com. Acquisitions Editor: Megan Laddusaw Development Editor: Sara Hunter Production Editor: Ashley Stussy Copyeditor: Shannon Turlington Proofreader: Tove Innis

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Indexer: BIM Creatives, LLC Interior Designer: David Futato Cover Designer: José Marzan Jr. Illustrator: Kate Dullea May 2025: First Edition Revision History for the First Edition 2025-05-06: First Release See http://oreilly.com/catalog/errata.csp?isbn=9798341607811 for release details. The O’Reilly logo is a registered trademark of O’Reilly Media, Inc. Azure AI Fundamentals (AI-900) Study Guide, the cover image, and related trade dress are trademarks of O’Reilly Media, Inc. The views expressed in this work are those of the author and do not represent the publisher’s views. While the publisher and the author have used good faith efforts to ensure that the information and instructions contained in this work are accurate, the publisher and the author disclaim all

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responsibility for errors or omissions, including without limitation responsibility for damages resulting from the use of or reliance on this work. Use of the information and instructions contained in this work is at your own risk. If any code samples or other technology this work contains or describes is subject to open source licenses or the intellectual property rights of others, it is your responsibility to ensure that your use thereof complies with such licenses and/or rights. 979-8-341-60781-1 [LSI]

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Preface Over the years, I’ve immersed myself in artificial intelligence (AI). I’ve written several books on the topic and advised companies on leveraging its transformative potential. In that time, one question has emerged as a recurring theme when I talk to people: how can I enhance my AI skills? I typically share a range of options. There’s no shortage of excellent books, online courses, and YouTube tutorials to get you started. But if you’re looking for a structured path, I recommend pursuing a certification. Certifications do more than test your knowledge—they validate your expertise. For employers, they’re a signal that you not only understand the fundamentals but also are prepared to apply them in the real world. Among the myriad AI certifications available, one stands out: the Azure AI Fundamentals (AI-900) exam. It doesn’t just skim the surface. It dives into key AI domains like machine learning (ML), deep learning (DL), natural language processing (NLP), computer vision, generative AI, and responsible AI. Of course, there is coverage of key solutions from Microsoft Azure.

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So whether you’re charting a new career path or bolstering your current role, the AI-900 certification equips you with a solid foundation. And this book is your ally in that journey. Packed with the resources you need to pass the exam, it’s also a handy reference guide for broader AI topics. So here’s my advice: dive in, stay curious, and don’t be afraid to challenge yourself. AI offers limitless opportunities, and with the right tools and mindset, you’re poised to make an impact. Thank you for picking up this book—and best of luck as you embark on your AI adventure. What’s Covered Here’s a brief look at each chapter. Chapter 1, “Introduction to the AI-900 Exam,” provides an overview of the Microsoft Azure AI-900 certification. The chapter highlights the career advantages of earning this certification. It also details the exam structure as well as key topics like AI workloads and ML principles, and it offers guidance on preparation resources and complementary certifications.

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Chapter 2, “Azure AI Services,” describes the basics of the Azure platform as well as how to set it up. The chapter also explores creating an Azure resource, which is required to perform various types of AI tasks, and we take a look at Azure AI Foundry, which allows you to create AI applications. Chapter 3, “Overview of AI Workloads and Key Use Cases,” explores various AI workloads and their practical applications. It introduces foundational technologies like content moderation, personalization, computer vision, NLP, knowledge mining, document intelligence, and generative AI. The chapter also stresses responsible AI principles, including fairness, reliability, transparency, and inclusiveness. Chapter 4, “Fundamental Principles of Machine Learning,” looks at key ML concepts and techniques. It describes supervised learning methods like regression and classification, unsupervised techniques such as clustering, and the distinction between ML and DL. The chapter then looks into the ML workflow, from data preparation and training to inferencing. Chapter 5, “Azure Machine Learning,” explores how Azure’s cloud-based service simplifies the training, deployment, and management of ML models. It highlights two key tools: Azure Automated Machine Learning (AutoML) for automating model

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development and Azure Machine Learning Designer, a no-code, drag-and-drop interface for creating pipelines. Chapter 6, “Features of Computer Vision Workloads on Azure,” looks at the fundamentals of computer vision. It covers Azure’s suite of computer vision tools, including Azure AI Vision for general image analysis, Azure AI Custom Vision for tailored image recognition, and Optical Character Recognition (OCR) for extracting text from images. Key techniques like image classification, object detection, and facial analysis are detailed with practical examples. The chapter also explains the role of convolutional neural networks (CNNs) in analyzing image patterns and discusses multimodal models. Chapter 7, “Features of Natural Language Processing Workloads on Azure,” explores key NLP concepts and their applications. It introduces Azure services for NLP, including Azure AI Language for tasks like sentiment analysis, entity recognition, and key- phrase extraction; Azure AI Translator for real-time text translation; and Azure AI Speech for speech-to-text and text-to- speech capabilities. The chapter also looks into foundational NLP techniques such as tokenization, text classification, and semantic language models.

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Chapter 8, “Features of Generative AI Workloads on Azure,” highlights the transformative potential of generative AI. It focuses on Azure tools like OpenAI models, DALL-E for image generation, and GPT-4 for advanced language tasks. Key concepts include large language models (LLMs), transformer architecture, tokenization, embeddings, and attention mechanisms. Chapter 9, “Strategies and Techniques for Successfully Taking the AI-900 Exam,” provides practical guidance for exam preparation and test taking. It emphasizes the importance of leveraging the Microsoft exam sandbox for familiarity and of mastering key topics like AI fundamentals, ML, NLP, computer vision, and generative AI. Conventions Used in This Book The following typographical conventions are used in this book: Italic Indicates new terms, URLs, email addresses, filenames, and file extensions. Bold

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Shows commands or other text that should be typed literally by the user. Constant width Used for program listings, as well as within paragraphs to refer to program elements such as variable or function names, databases, data types, environment variables, statements, and keywords. O’Reilly Online Learning NOTE For more than 40 years, O’Reilly Media has provided technology and business training, knowledge, and insight to help companies succeed. Our unique network of experts and innovators share their knowledge and expertise through books, articles, and our online learning platform. O’Reilly’s online learning platform gives you on-demand access to live training courses, in-depth learning paths, interactive coding environments, and a vast collection of text and video from O’Reilly and 200+ other publishers. For more information, visit https://oreilly.com.

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How to Contact Us Please address comments and questions concerning this book to the publisher: O’Reilly Media, Inc. 1005 Gravenstein Highway North Sebastopol, CA 95472 800-889-8969 (in the United States or Canada) 707-827-7019 (international or local) 707-829-0104 (fax) support@oreilly.com https://oreilly.com/about/contact.html We have a web page for this book, where we list errata, examples, and any additional information. You can access this page at https://oreil.ly/azure-AI-fundamentals-AI-900-study-guide- 1e. For news and information about our books and courses, visit https://oreilly.com. Find us on LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/oreilly-media

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Watch us on YouTube: https://youtube.com/oreillymedia Acknowledgments I want to thank the awesome team at O’Reilly. They include Megan Laddusaw, Virginia Wilson, and Sara Hunter. I also had the benefit of outstanding tech reviewers. They are Gaurav Deshmukh, Ravi Shankar G, Michael Mulray, and Vaibhav Gujral.

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Chapter 1. Introduction to the AI-900 Exam The Microsoft Azure AI-900 certification, officially known as Microsoft Azure AI Fundamentals, is focused on AI and cloud computing, all through the lens of Azure. Whether you’re completely new to AI or just starting your journey with cloud technology, this certification is designed to ease you into the essentials. Microsoft labels this as a “900-level” certification. This means it’s entry-level and perfect if you’re just dipping your toes into these areas. And you don’t need to be a coding expert or a data science genius to succeed. At its core, the AI-900 introduces you to foundational AI concepts—like ML and NLP—while walking you through how AI workloads function in Azure. A workload is the specific tasks, processes, or operations that a system, application, or service performs. It’s a term you will often see on the exam. Examples include training ML models or using services like speech recognition or image analysis. Sure, having a little background in cloud computing or understanding basic AI concepts can make the exam easier, but it’s not a requirement. If these categories are new to you, don’t

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worry. This book will guide you step-by-step, from square one, and help you make sense of it all. Each chapter is crafted to get you fully ready for the AI-900 exam. We’ll take it one concept at a time, explaining everything in plain language and showing you practical examples using Azure’s AI tools, so you can see exactly how things work in the real world. And to give you a boost of confidence, there’s a set of 95 sample questions that mirror the exam format. In this chapter, we’ll start by breaking down the structure and objectives of the AI-900 exam, so you’ll know exactly what to expect and how to prepare for success from the get-go. Why Should You Take the Exam? Earning the AI-900 certification can give your career a major boost, especially as the AI field continues to grow at breakneck speed. Even if you’re not aiming for a job specifically in AI, this certification can still help you stand out in today’s competitive job market. It’s a solid way to showcase that you’ve got a strong understanding of AI fundamentals. Let’s look into some of the key reasons that make earning the certification worth your time and effort.

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Recognition The AI-900 certification is recognized by employers as a strong validation of your knowledge of AI concepts within Azure’s cloud platform. This level of credibility can make you stand out to hiring managers. It’s a great way to demonstrate that you’re ready to contribute AI-driven solutions in real-world scenarios. Rising Demand for AI Skills in a Booming Market Gartner predicts that AI software spending will soar to $297.9 billion by 2027, growing at an impressive compound annual growth rate of 19.1%. This surge is driven by the widespread adoption of AI across industries as companies look to boost efficiency, streamline operations, and gain valuable insights from data. As AI becomes more integrated into business strategies, the demand for professionals with AI expertise— particularly those certified in deploying AI solutions on platforms like Microsoft Azure—will see a significant rise. Azure’s Growing Dominance in the Cloud

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Market Microsoft Azure continues to see strong growth. As of early 2024, Azure’s revenue surged by 29% year-over-year to $62 billion, powered by increasing adoption of AI services and cloud-based solutions. Microsoft’s Intelligent Cloud segment also reported $26.7 billion in revenue for the first quarter of 2024, marking a 21% jump from the previous year. Azure’s growth is in step with industry trends, where businesses are relying more on cloud services to power AI workloads and digital transformation efforts. With around 23% market share, second only to Amazon Web Services (AWS) at 32%, Azure is cementing its position as a leading player in the cloud-computing landscape. Salary Boosts and Career Opportunities with AI Skills Professionals with AI skills are in high demand, and it’s paying off—literally. Companies are offering up to 30% higher salaries for roles requiring AI expertise. And it’s not just tech teams that are reaping the rewards. Research and development professionals can see a 29% bump, while sales, marketing, and finance employees enjoy around 28% more. Even roles in

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business operations, legal, compliance, and HR aren’t missing out, with salaries boosted by up to 24%. AI-focused roles naturally come with competitive compensation: Data analyst In the United States, data analysts typically earn between $60,000 and $90,000 annually, with variations based on experience and location. In high-demand cities like San Francisco, salaries can climb past $95,000, while other regions often see averages closer to $76,000–$80,000. AI developer AI developers generally make between $85,000 and $120,000 per year. For those working in advanced roles or in tech hubs, salaries tend to hit the higher end of this range. Project manager Project managers overseeing AI or tech-related projects can expect salaries ranging from $90,000 to $130,000. This depends on their expertise and the complexity of the projects they handle.

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Sales specialist for AI solutions Sales professionals specializing in AI technology typically earn between $70,000 and $110,000 annually. Performance-based bonuses often improve their overall compensation—reflecting the high demand for cutting- edge AI solutions. Who Should Take the AI-900 Exam? The AI-900 exam is great if you’re new to AI and you want to build a strong foundation while seeing how Microsoft Azure fits into the picture. Here’s a closer look at who this certification is designed for: IT professionals If you’re an IT specialist without much background in AI, the AI-900 will help you start exploring AI’s potential and how it can be applied in cloud environments. It helps you bridge the gap between your current role and more AI- centric positions, like AI solution developers or cloud administrators. Data analysts and business analysts