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As you can see I have changed the software that powers the community. In effect we are back to our roots. The site started on Invision Community. If not for a disagreement with a dev at IPB we would never have switched. IPB is more full featured than xenforo. Things are still be imported so you might run into a few quirks. Hang in there and bear with me. A new era of Free PC Help Forum is about to begin.

Our security teams work around the clock to help protect every person and organization on the planet from security threats. We also know that security is a team sport, and that’s why we also partner with the global security community through our bug bounty programs to proactively identify and mitigate potential issues before our customers are impacted.

Welcome to the third installment in our series on transparency at the Microsoft Security Response Center (MSRC). In this ongoing discussion, we talk about our commitment to providing comprehensive vulnerability information to our customers. At MSRC, our mission is to protect our customers, communities, and Microsoft, from current and emerging threats to security and privacy.

Congratulations to all the researchers recognized in this quarter’s Microsoft Researcher Recognition Program leaderboard! Thank you to everyone for your hard work and continued partnership to secure customers. The top three researchers of the 2024 Q3 Security Researcher Leaderboard are wkai, VictorV, and Zhihua Wen! Check out the full list of researchers recognized this quarter here.

34 sessions from 54 presenters representing 20 organizations! We are thrilled to reveal the lineup of speakers and presentations for the 23rd BlueHat Security Conference, in Redmond WA from Oct 29-30. This year’s conference continues the BlueHat ethos and Secure Future Initiative mission of “Security Above All Else”. Security researchers and responders from inside and outside of Microsoft will gather on the Microsoft campus in Redmond, WA to share, debate, and challenge each other, with the shared goal of creating a safer and more secure world for all.

The new Outlook for Windows brings the latest features, intelligent assisted capabilities, and a new modern and simplified design to your Outlook app. You can tailor it to your style and do more with new Outlook for Windows. With accessibility and usability enhancements, Microsoft remains committed to providing the efficiency, productivity, and familiarity that all users can expect from Outlook to accomplish their daily workflows. To give context, new Outlook for Windows is the future of Mail, Calendar, and People on Windows. New Windows 11 devices will be shipped with new Outlook for Windows as the default mailbox application spans across free access for personal accounts and subscription for personal, work, and school accounts. Microsoft is ending support for the Mail and Calendar apps at the end of 2024, and offering new Outlook as the default email and calendar service offered on Windows. While new Outlook is generally available for both personal and commercial use, classic Outlook is still available. Learn more about the multi-year migration timeline. With the expansion of new Outlook features, we have integrated the Immersive Reader which lets users listen to their emails and modify text settings for improved readability. We provide a Dictation feature, enabling speech-to-text email drafting. Users can also enlarge email content and adjust the themes to fit their viewing preferences. Along with these features, we offer the Accessibility Checker to identify any accessibility issues within your drafted email to help users create content that is accessible to others. We continue to listen to feedback from the community and make enhancements based on the feedback. We are especially prioritizing top usability and accessibility feature requests to support based on what users expect from the Mail and Calendar apps. Recently added keyboard shortcuts The new Outlook for Windows offers an extensive choice of shortcuts including those users expect in classic Outlook for Windows and in Outlook on the web. Users can utilize the F6 key to quickly jump between regions of the app, the Esc key to close windows, and more. The full list of the keyboard shortcuts offered in new Outlook can be found by either going to Keyboard Shortcuts for Outlook on Microsoft Support, navigating to Settings > General > Accessibility, or pressing the ‘?’ key within the application. The Outlook team has implemented many keyboarding shortcuts to make common tasks that users do in email such as reviewing the list of messages, reading a mail, writing a mail, or switching folders easier and more efficient. Added Ctrl+Y shortcut Users can now press the familiar ‘Ctrl+Y’ keyboard shortcut to jump to folders. This keyboard combination allows users to easily switch folders by typing in a single or multiple alphanumeric keystrokes to bring focus to the name of the folder that aligns with the order of keys that were pressed. Added Tab efficiency Navigating a message in the reading pane is now much faster. Previously, each time users pressed the ‘Tab’ key, focus would go to every button and link within the reading pane. Now, users can navigate the grouped elements by pressing the arrow keys and simply use the ‘Tab’ key to jump focus to different parts of the message. Added Alt shortcut Rolling out in August 2024 is the ability to use the ‘Alt’ shortcut to invoke the Ribbon key tips. This feature was originally offered through the ‘Alt + Windows’ key combination, but we added the single key ‘Alt’ shortcut after listening to feedback that the keyboard combination was not easily discoverable. [ATTACH type=full" alt="Image of the key tips appearing in the Ribbon.]64335[/ATTACH]Image of the key tips appearing in the Ribbon. An elevated screen reader experience In addition to implementing keyboard shortcuts for screen reader users to efficiently navigate the new Outlook for Windows, we are also working with assistive technology providers such as Narrator, JAWS and NVDA to create a more seamless reading experience. When opening an email to read, JAWS and NVDA now start automatically reading the whole message body aloud. Along with focusing the message body after opening an email, we have also enhanced the focus states following other commands. For example, after launching new Outlook or completing a search, the default focus is directly on the first item in the message list instead of the entire message list region. Additionally, after invoking the ‘skip to’ links that are located at the start of the window when using keyboard navigation, focus goes directly to the message or message list item. These improvements minimize keyboard navigation so that screen reader users already have focus on the most valuable information. To optimize the screen reader experience in the new Outlook, it is recommended to turn off the reading pane and set the conversation view to “Show each message separately.” For more tips, visit basic tasks using a screen reader with email in Outlook on Microsoft Support. [ATTACH type=full" alt="Image of the keyboard focus appearing on the first message list item.]64336[/ATTACH]Image of the keyboard focus appearing on the first message list item. Upcoming keyboarding and screen reader enhancements While we have already added more keyboard and screen reader capabilities in the new Outlook that will meet the needs of the habitual workflows in the Windows Mail and Calendar applications, we are continuing to develop more features that will roll out in the coming months. In the Calendar module, the ability to navigate the timeslots within the calendar grid by using arrow keys is rolling out in October 2024. Work is underway to enable keyboard arrowing between Ribbon tabs and their contents, and to add support for automatically reading the message body with the Narrator screen reader tool, like JAWS and NVDA. We strive to have parity across our screen reader partners so that users have similar experiences regardless of their preferred platform. We will continue making more improvements to the usability of the new Outlook with keyboarding, screen reader, magnification, and other assistive technologies. Please continue to share feedback with us by going to the Help tab in the Outlook ribbon, selecting Feedback, and mention "accessibility in the new Outlook" in the description box along with your comments. If you have questions or feedback on Accessibility at Microsoft, let us know at the Disability Answer Desk or try out the new Bing AI-powered Ask Microsoft Accessibility tool. Continue reading...

This is the next segment of our blog series highlighting Microsoft Learn Student Ambassadors who achieved the Gold milestone, the highest level attainable, and have recently graduated from university. Each blog in the series features a different student and highlights their accomplishments, their experience with the Student Ambassador community, and what they’re up to now. Today we meet Jennifer who recently graduated with a bachelor’s in digital security and Forensics. from Glasgow Caledonian University in Scotland. Responses have been edited for clarity and length. When did you join the Student Ambassadors community? October 2021 What was being a Student Ambassador like? I would describe being a student ambassador as a very exciting experience. There are so many opportunities for personal growth in so many different areas, and you get to decide which opportunities to take and how you want to shape your journey. It is also so reassuring to have a community that supports you and that you can learn from and give back to. Was there a specific experience you had while you were in the program that had a profound impact on you and why? One event that stands out for me is when I co-hosted the Microsoft EMEA Student Summit in March 2023 with Microsoft Senior Cloud Advocate and Software Engineer Liam Hampton. It was an honor to be asked to co-host, and it was a very successful event, with over 550 live viewers. I was also very privileged during my time as a student ambassador to be involved in Allyship, and to host several events in that area, most notably the 2023 Student Ambassador Pride Watch Party. I was also able to put my creative side to good use and host an event on LGBTQ+ Representation in Western Literature. All these events may have pushed me out of my comfort zone, but they contributed to building up my confidence and proving to myself what I was capable of. [ATTACH type=full" alt="StudentDeveloperTeam_1-1724972510932.jpeg]64333[/ATTACH] Jennifer at the Microsoft EMEA Student Summit 2023 Tell us about a technology you had the chance to gain a skillset in as a Student Ambassador. How has this skill you acquired helped you in your post-university journey? One of the first certifications I attained from Microsoft was the AI-900, where I learned the foundations of machine learning and the wide range of applications that AI can be used for. Now, almost four years later, I have completed an Honours Dissertation on using Deep Learning for Polymorphic Malware Detection, and am about to start a Master’s Degree in Advanced Computer Science with Artificial Intelligence. What is something you want all students, globally, to know about the Microsoft Learn Student Ambassador Program? If you're looking for a tech community where you will be inspired and inspire others, all while constantly learning and building up a network of fantastic people that will help you along the way and be there for you even after you graduate, then the MLSA program is the place for you. What advice would you give to new Student Ambassadors, who are just starting in the program? I would say that the program may seem overwhelming at first but give it time and you will find your feet. Don't be afraid to ask questions and get involved with anything that interests you. And lastly, don't underestimate the soft skills you will gain from your time in the program. Technical skills are important, but the ability to share what you know and communicate with others will last you a lifetime. Share a favorite quote with us! It can be from a movie, a song, a book, or someone you know personally. Tell us why you chose this. What does it mean for you? "All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given to us." - Gandalf. I'm terrible for worrying too much about the future and what my life will look like in a year, two years, five years' time. This quote from one of my favorite book and movie series reminds me that I can just enjoy the time that I have right now and not wish my life away. Tell us something interesting about you, about your journey. Hosting events as part of the MLSA program gave me a confidence boost in the early years of my degree and helped me to get a job during university where I worked as a Student Ambassador for the Cyber Security Department. This whole job centered around public speaking, whether I was speaking to prospective students at Open Days, moderating panels in front of full lecture theatres at Applicant Events, or even just giving one-on-one tours of our department facilities. I have now moved on to speaking at local cyber community events and have started to apply to speak at conferences too. [ATTACH type=full" alt="StudentDeveloperTeam_2-1724972511002.png]64334[/ATTACH] You can follow Jennifer here: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenniferhollandcyber/ Continue reading...

This is the next segment of our blog series highlighting Microsoft Learn Student Ambassadors who achieved the Gold milestone, the highest level attainable, and have recently graduated from university. Each blog in the series features a different student and highlights their accomplishments, their experience with the Student Ambassador community, and what they’re up to now. Today we meet Flora who recently graduated with a bachelor’s in biotechnology from Federal University of Technology Akure in Nigeria. Responses have been edited for clarity and length. When did you join the Student Ambassadors community? July 2021 What was being a Student Ambassador like? Being a student ambassador was an amazing experience for me. I joined the program at a crucial time when I was just beginning my tech journey and was on the verge of giving up on a tech career, thinking it might not be for me. Over the three years I served as an ambassador, I not only enhanced my technical skills but also grew as an individual. I transformed from a shy person into someone who could confidently address an audience, developing strong presentation and communication skills along the way. As an ambassador, I made an impact on both small and large scales, excelled in organizing events, and mentored other students to embark on their own tech career paths. Was there a specific experience you had while you were in the program that had a profound impact on you and why? One significant impact I made as an ambassador was organizing a Global Power Platform event in Nigeria, which is presumed the largest in West Africa, with around 700 students attending. During this event, I collaborated with MVPs in the Power Platform domain to upskill students in Power BI and Power Apps technology. Leveraging my position as a Microsoft ambassador, I secured access to school facilities, including computer systems for students to use for learning. This pivotal experience paved the way for me to organize international events outside the ambassador program. These experiences aside helped me develop skills in project management, networking, and making a large-scale impact. Tell us about a technology you had the chance to gain a skillset in as a Student Ambassador. How has this skill you acquired helped you in your post-university journey? During my time as an ambassador, I developed a strong skillset in data analytics. I honed my abilities using various Microsoft technologies, including Power BI, Excel, and Azure for Data Science. I shared this knowledge with my community through classes, which proved invaluable in my post-university journey. Additionally, I honed my technical writing skills by contributing to the Microsoft Blog, with one of my articles becoming one of the top most viewed blogs of the year. This experience helped me secure an internship while in school and side-gigs via freelancing, and ultimately landing a job before graduating. What is something you want all students, globally, to know about the Microsoft Learn Student Ambassador Program? I want students worldwide to know that the Microsoft Learn Student Ambassador program is for everyone, regardless of how new they are to tech. It offers opportunities to grow, learn, and expand their skills, preparing them for success in the job market. They shouldn’t view it as a program only for geniuses but as a place that will shape them in ways that traditional academics might not [ATTACH type=full" alt="StudentDeveloperTeam_1-1724971573656.jpeg]64331[/ATTACH] Flora and other Microsoft Learn Student Ambassadors in her university. What advice would you give to new Student Ambassadors, who are just starting in the program? I would advise students just starting in the program to give it their best and, most importantly, to look beyond the SWAG! Many people focus on the swag and merchandise, forgetting that there’s much more to gain, including developing both soft and technical skills. So, for those just starting out, come in, make good connections, and leverage those connections while building your skills in all areas. Share a favorite quote with us! It can be from a movie, a song, a book, or someone you know personally. Tell us why you chose this. What does it mean for you? Maya Angelou’s words deeply resonate with me: ‘Whatever you want to do, if you want to be great at it, you have to love it and be willing to make sacrifices.’ This truth became evident during my journey as a student ambassador. I aspired to be an effective teacher, presenter, and communicator. To achieve that, I knew I had to overcome my shyness and embrace facing the crowd. Making an impact on a large scale requires stepping out of my comfort zone. Over time, I transformed into a different person from when I first joined the program. Tell us something interesting about you, about your journey. One fascinating aspect of my involvement in the program and my academic journey was when I assumed the role of community manager. Our goal was to elevate the MLSA community to a prominent position within the school, making it recognizable to both students and lecturers. However, through collaborative efforts and teamwork with fellow ambassadors, we achieved significant growth. The community expanded to nearly a thousand members, and we successfully registered it as an official club recognized by the Vice-Chancellor and prominent lecturers. I owe a shout-out to Mahmood Ademoye and other ambassadors from FUTA who played a pivotal role in shaping our thriving community. [ATTACH type=full" alt="StudentDeveloperTeam_2-1724971573664.jpeg]64332[/ATTACH] Flora and her mentor Olanrewaju Oyinbooke You can follow Flora here: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/flora-oladipupo/ X: x.com Github: shashacode - Overview Medium: Flora Oladipupo – Medium Hashnode: Shasha's Blog Linktree: Data Advocate | Linktree Continue reading...

This is the next segment of our blog series highlighting Microsoft Learn Student Ambassadors who achieved the Gold milestone, the highest level attainable, and have recently graduated from university. Each blog in the series features a different student and highlights their accomplishments, their experience with the Student Ambassador community, and what they’re up to now. Today we meet Marcela who recently graduated with a bachelor’s in Mechatronics Engineering from Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León in Mexico. Responses have been edited for clarity and length. When did you join the Student Ambassadors community? January 2021 What was being a Student Ambassador like? Being a MLSA was one of the best experiences, I made friends that became family, I got to know amazing people from around the world and had amazing experiences in the different types of events and places. [ATTACH type=full" alt="StudentDeveloperTeam_1-1724972902235.jpeg]64328[/ATTACH] MLSA team first event after covid. Was there a specific experience you had while you were in the program that had a profound impact on you and why? I did a lot of networking in events in person and online, with MLSAs from China, Germany, Pakistan, India, and from all Latin America with our PMs and Pablo Veramendi. I made valuable friendships with marvelous people that became MVPs, Cloud Advocates and more. I'm proud of how we've grown up into amazing students and professionals, and all of them have made a big impact on me, with their examples, experiences and knowledge. [ATTACH type=full" alt="StudentDeveloperTeam_2-1724972902245.jpeg]64329[/ATTACH] MLSA team online meeting. Tell us about a technology you had the chance to gain a skillset in as a Student Ambassador. How has this skill you acquired helped you in your post-university journey? Artificial Intelligence, it helped me in most of my school projects, in my job and in my daily life. Every day I find something new to use and help me to improve when I'm in a project and I must come up with an idea to improve an app or create a solution. What is something you want all students, globally, to know about the Microsoft Learn Student Ambassador Program? I want you to know that you can do whatever you put your mind into. Keep studying, keep learning, help others and be kind. What advice would you give to new Student Ambassadors, who are just starting in the program? If you are afraid of doing something, do it with fear, those experiences make you stronger, more resilient and with your example, you inspire others to get out of their comfort zones. Share a favorite quote with us! It can be from a movie, a song, a book, or someone you know personally. Tell us why you chose this. What does it mean for you? "Be so you, that you inspire others to be themselves." It made me realize that it's enough being me, I don't have to prove to others, just to myself and inspire myself, being inspired by my past and by the ideas and opportunities that uphold me. [ATTACH type=full" alt="StudentDeveloperTeam_3-1724972902255.jpeg]64330[/ATTACH] Marcela attending an event. Tell us something interesting about you, about your journey. Since I got accepted to MLSA I felt welcomed in a very beautiful community, full of hope, inspiration and love. When I advanced through my journey, I realized that I couldn't do things alone, and that I would always have someone to hold my hand and help me through it. You can follow Marcela here: Instagram: @marce.ortizam Continue reading...

This is the next segment of our blog series highlighting Microsoft Learn Student Ambassadors who achieved the Gold milestone, the highest level attainable, and have recently graduated from university. Each blog in the series features a different student and highlights their accomplishments, their experience with the Student Ambassador community, and what they’re up to now. Today we meet Aaryan who recently graduated with a bachelor’s Tech in Computer Engineering from Delhi Technological University in India. Responses have been edited for clarity and length. When did you join the Student Ambassadors community? 2021 What was being a Student Ambassador like? Being a Microsoft Learn Student Ambassador has been an incredibly fulfilling experience. It has provided me with a platform to share my passion for technology while empowering others to develop their skills. Through the MLSA program, I’ve had the chance to host over 18 events, each aimed at making cutting-edge technology accessible and understandable to a diverse community. From organizing the Global Azure Bootcamp with ambassadors from different countries to hosting Cloud Skills Challenges and AI Gaming Tournaments, I’ve not only enhanced my own knowledge but also helped others embark on their learning journeys. Collaborating with a global network of students and professionals has broadened my perspectives and strengthened my commitment to community building. As an ambassador, I’ve learned the importance of leadership, communication, and teamwork. The satisfaction of seeing participants grow and succeed in their endeavors has been the most rewarding aspect of this journey. The MLSA program has allowed me to contribute to the tech community in meaningful ways, and it has also pushed me to keep learning and exploring new technologies. Was there a specific experience you had while you were in the program that had a profound impact on you and why? One experience that really stuck with me during the Microsoft Learn Student Ambassador Program was getting the chance to mentor other ambassadors in social impact projects. It wasn’t just about sharing what I knew—it was about connecting with others who shared the same passions. Those mentorship moments turned into lasting friendships with people from all over the world, and that sense of community and teamwork became a huge part of my journey. I also had the chance to chat with Lee Stott from the MLSA program. His advice really helped me think about what I wanted to do after graduation and gave me a lot of clarity about my career path. The program wasn’t just about learning new tech skills, it was about growing as a person, building connections, and figuring out how to make a real impact. Looking back, those opportunities to grow and connect with people globally were some of the best parts of the experience. [ATTACH type=full" alt="StudentDeveloperTeam_2-1724970934601.jpeg]64326[/ATTACH] Tell us about a technology you had the chance to gain a skillset in as a Student Ambassador. How has this skill you acquired helped you in your post-university journey? One of the most significant projects I worked on was integrating Power Apps with Azure Machine Learning and OpenAI using Power Automate. This project involved creating a Health Expense Planner Application that leveraged machine learning models to predict health expenses based on various parameters. By inputting data such as age, BMI, and smoking status, users could receive personalized predictions and savings plans tailored to their needs. Through this project I managed to publish a blog that already has over 13k views, gave multiple demo calls, got invited to Microsoft Reactor and MVP events as well. Integrating Power Apps with Azure Machine Learning & OpenAI using Power Automate What is something you want all students, globally, to know about the Microsoft Learn Student Ambassador Program? I want all students globally to know that the Microsoft Learn Student Ambassador Program is more than just a tech community—it's a platform for growth, learning, and making a real impact. As an ambassador, you get the chance to deepen your knowledge of cutting-edge technologies, but more importantly, you get to share that knowledge with others. You’ll host events, collaborate with students and professionals from around the world, and gain invaluable experience in leadership and communication. The program empowers you to not only advance your own career but also uplift your peers by creating opportunities for them to learn and succeed. Whether you're passionate about coding, cloud computing, or community building, the MLSA program gives you the tools and the global network to turn your ideas into reality. It’s an incredible journey of personal and professional development that I believe every student should experience What advice would you give to new Student Ambassadors, who are just starting in the program? My advice to new Student Ambassadors is to dive in with enthusiasm and a willingness to learn. Start by exploring the resources and tools available through the program, there’s a wealth of knowledge at your fingertips. Don’t be afraid to take the lead on hosting events, even if you’re nervous at first; it’s a great way to build your confidence and skills. Most importantly, connect with your fellow ambassadors and the broader community. Collaboration is key, and you’ll gain so much by working with others. Remember, this program is what you make of it—so make the most of every opportunity! Share a favorite quote with us! It can be from a movie, a song, a book, or someone you know personally. Tell us why you chose this. What does it mean for you? “People live their lives bound by what they accept as true. That is how they define ‘reality.’” This quote from Itachi in Naruto has profoundly impacted my understanding of the world. It taught me that there is no single correct answer and that we must remain open and willing to explore and understand the multiplicity of things around us. [ATTACH type=full" alt="StudentDeveloperTeam_3-1724970934616.jpeg]64327[/ATTACH] Aaryan Arora You can follow Aaryan here: LinkedIn: GitHub: aaryan2134 - Overview Continue reading...

This is the next segment of our blog series highlighting Microsoft Learn Student Ambassadors who achieved the Gold milestone, the highest level attainable, and have recently graduated from university. Each blog in the series features a different student and highlights their accomplishments, their experience with the Student Ambassador community, and what they’re up to now. Today we meet Maria-Anastasia who recently graduated with a master’s degree in computer engineering and informatics from the University of Patras in Greece. Responses have been edited for clarity and length. When did you join the Student Ambassadors community? I joined the Student Ambassadors Community in the third year of my integrated master’s degree in computer engineering and informatics at the University of Patras, back in November 2016, when the Microsoft Learn Student Ambassadors program was still known as Student Guru. What was being a Student Ambassador like? Being a Student Ambassador is a fantastic experience. You get to meet new people from your university and from all over the world, work in teams, create projects, give presentations, and continuously learn about new technologies. It gives you a sense of purpose and fulfilment. [ATTACH type=full" alt="StudentDeveloperTeam_1-1724973129192.png]64324[/ATTACH] Maria-Anastasia at the end of a presentation. Was there a specific experience you had while you were in the program that had a profound impact on you and why? Through this program, I began lecturing on IoT, which allowed me to connect with MVPs and Cloud Advocates. These connections were pivotal in helping me become an MVP myself, a title I've held for the past three years, since December of 2021. This experience had a profound impact on my career, as it not only expanded my professional network but also deepened my expertise in the field. Tell us about a technology you had the chance to gain a skillset in as a Student Ambassador. How has this skill you acquired helped you in your post-university journey? During my time as a Student Ambassador, I had the opportunity to develop a strong skill set in IoT. Learning about IoT involved understanding how to connect and manage various devices, collect data, and create solutions that leverage this data in meaningful ways. This skill has been incredibly valuable in my post-university journey. It has allowed me to work on innovative projects, stay at the forefront of technological advancements, and has been a key differentiator in my career. The knowledge and experience I gained with IoT have also made me more versatile and equipped to tackle complex challenges in the tech industry. One of the most impactful moments came after I gave a presentation on IoT at a Greek summit. An employer who attended the session approached me, which led to my first job offer. This opportunity not only launched my professional career but also played a significant role in my journey to becoming an MVP. What is something you want all students, globally, to know about the Microsoft Learn Student Ambassador Program? I want all students to know that the Microsoft Learn Student Ambassador Program offers numerous opportunities for gaining knowledge, as well as personal and professional growth. It's a platform that empowers you to develop new skills, connect with like-minded individuals, and advance in your career. What advice would you give to new Student Ambassadors, who are just starting in the program? My advice to new Student Ambassadors is to give it their all. Take the time to network and build connections, don't be afraid to collaborate with others, and always be willing to take that extra step. Embrace every opportunity the program offers and push yourself to grow both personally and professionally. Share a favorite quote with us! It can be from a movie, a song, a book, or someone you know personally. Tell us why you chose this. What does it mean for you? One of my favorite quotes is “Be passionate!” It’s simple yet powerful. I chose this quote because it embodies the energy and enthusiasm needed to excel in any field. For me, it serves as a reminder to always pursue my interests with dedication and to approach every task with a genuine love for what I’m doing. Passion fuels creativity, resilience, and success, making it an essential part of both personal and professional life. Tell us something interesting about you, about your journey. My journey has been quite eventful. I started my first degree in 2015, and thanks to the Student Ambassador community, I secured my first job and achieved MVP status even before I graduated. After finishing my degree, I immediately pursued a master’s program, which I’ve now completed. I’ve since embarked on a PhD journey, all while continuing to work as a software engineer. Although this path has been challenging, it’s also been incredibly rewarding, as I’ve managed to balance my academic ambitions with a thriving professional career. [ATTACH type=full" alt="StudentDeveloperTeam_2-1724973129235.png]64325[/ATTACH] Maria-Anastasia at her graduation. You can follow Maria-Anastasia here: Blog: Maria-Anastasia's blog about tech - A blog about IoT, Azure and PowerApps LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maria-anastasia-moustaka/ Twitter: x.com All of my links: Maria-Anastasia Moustaka I’m passionate about sharing knowledge in areas like IoT, Azure, software engineering, business applications and the latest tech news and trends. My focus is on inspiring others to pursue careers in technology and highlighting the importance of continuous learning and personal growth in this ever-evolving field. Continue reading...

This is the next segment of our blog series highlighting Microsoft Learn Student Ambassadors who achieved the Gold milestone, the highest level attainable, and have recently graduated from university. Each blog in the series features a different student and highlights their accomplishments, their experience with the Student Ambassador community, and what they’re up to now. Today we meet Wenwei who recently graduated with a bachelor’s in Science in Software Engineering from Jiangsu University of Technology in China. Responses have been edited for clarity and length.   When did you join the Student Ambassadors community? October, 2021. What was being a Student Ambassador like? Being a Student Ambassador was about much more than just attending tech events and accessing resources like Azure and Microsoft Learn. It was an opportunity to grow in multiple dimensions, technically, professionally, and personally. Was there a specific experience you had while you were in the program that had a profound impact on you and why? There were many memorable experiences during my time in the MLSA program, but one that stands out is my involvement in the Imagine Cup as a volunteer reporter. I, along with other ambassadors, attended the China Imagine Cup Finals in Zhengzhou. We served as reporters, assisting participants and documenting their journey through videos and photos. This experience was impactful for several reasons. Meeting other Student Ambassadors in person for the first time made it especially meaningful. Additionally, getting a behind-the-scenes look at the innovation and creativity of young tech enthusiasts was incredibly inspiring. Witnessing how technology can bring people together to solve real-world problems deepened my appreciation for the global tech ecosystem and reinforced my belief in the power of community and collaboration. [ATTACH type=full" alt="StudentDeveloperTeam_1-1724973628328.png]64321[/ATTACH] Wenwei at the Imagine Cup as a volunteer reporter. [ATTACH type=full" alt="StudentDeveloperTeam_2-1724973628393.png]64322[/ATTACH] Wenwei with a group of colleagues and CPM Christina at a Power Platform event. Tell us about a technology you had the chance to gain a skillset in as a Student Ambassador. How has this skill you acquired helped you in your post-university journey? During my time as a Student Ambassador, I delved deep into Azure, particularly Azure Static Web Apps and Azure Functions. These tools became my playground as I explored front-end development and created serverless functions as simple backend services. I remember deploying my portfolio site using Azure Static Web Apps, which caught the attention of interviewers during my job search and helped me secure an offer. [ATTACH type=full" alt="StudentDeveloperTeam_3-1724973628448.png]64323[/ATTACH] Wenwei at a workshop. What is something you want all students, globally, to know about the Microsoft Learn Student Ambassador Program? If there’s one thing, I want all students to know about the Microsoft Learn Student Ambassador (MLSA) program, it’s that your passion for technology matters more than your academic background. This program isn’t about how many degrees you have or how prestigious your university is. Instead, it’s about your enthusiasm for learning, your desire to explore new technologies, and your willingness to share that knowledge with others. The MLSA program welcomes students from all disciplines, not just those studying computer science or engineering. Whether you're majoring in software engineering, literature, or anything in between, if you have a passion for technology and a desire to make an impact, there’s a place for you here. What advice would you give to new Student Ambassadors, who are just starting in the program? My advice to new Student Ambassadors is simple: don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone. Embrace every opportunity that comes your way, whether it’s hosting an event, learning new technology, or reaching out to a mentor. The MLSA program is full of opportunities, but you have to be proactive in seizing them. I also highly recommend joining the mentorship program early on. Having a mentor was incredibly helpful for me, even though I was initially nervous about hosting my first event. My mentor pushed me to go beyond my limits, and looking back, I’m so grateful for that. Share a favorite quote with us! It can be from a movie, a song, a book, or someone you know personally. Tell us why you chose this. What does it mean for you? "Experience is one thing you can’t get for nothing. Experience is merely the name men gave to their mistakes." — Oscar Wilde This quote deeply resonates with me. I once believed I could master anything by reading extensively, but true understanding only came when I applied that knowledge. The process of making mistakes and learning from them taught me more than any book or tutorial ever could. It’s through doing, failing, and correcting that I gained real experience and understanding. Tell us something interesting about you, about your journey. There were definitely some fun moments during my time in the program. One that stands out happened during the Chinese Lunar New Year in 2023. I was participating in that quarter's Social Impact Project, and our team was struggling to settle on a topic even though we were almost a month in. Our theme was centered around creating a healthcare prototype, but we were still searching for the right idea. At the time, I was deeply into literature and was fascinated by how writers could craft entire novels based on a simple news article. One day, as I was walking down a rural road, an idea suddenly struck me, what if we used AI to generate vivid descriptions based on images? This could help visually impaired people experience the beauty of the world through rich, descriptive language. My teammates loved the idea, and we immediately started working on it. Everyone brought their unique skills to the table: our team leader, Deepthi, managed the schedule; I, as the product manager, created user stories and designed the prototype; Mritul set up the backend using Azure VM, Azure Cognitive Services, and Azure OpenAI; and Sijian developed the app using Kotlin. It was so cool! Our project ended up winning the championship for that quarter. Continue reading...

This is the next segment of our blog series highlighting Microsoft Learn Student Ambassadors who achieved the Gold milestone, the highest level attainable, and have recently graduated from university. Each blog in the series features a different student and highlights their accomplishments, their experience with the Student Ambassador community, and what they’re up to now. Today we meet Joshua who recently graduated with a bachelor’s in Physics from University of Jos in Nigeria. Responses have been edited for clarity and length. When did you join the Student Ambassadors community? July 2022. What was being a Student Ambassador like? Archimedes once said, “Give me a place to stand, and a lever long enough with a fulcrum on which to place it, and I shall move the world.” This quote has been my guiding light since I became a Microsoft Ambassador. This opportunity has given me the platform to take on the role of a superhero to my community in Northern Nigeria. Evidently, Northern Nigeria stands as the most underrepresented tech community in Nigeria and Africa at large, owing to the fact that it is the most under-educated region in Nigeria. However, the MLSA program has provided me with valuable and unlimited resources to upskill and teach my community. Additionally, I have the opportunity to inspire young people from this region to transition into tech by properly educating them. Partnering with other ambassadors both in Nigeria and in the diaspora, I have hosted global programs like the Global Power Platform Bootcamp, CloudSkills Challenge, and the maiden Microsoft Student Summit in Northern Nigeria, putting Jos, Nigeria, on the global stage. All these efforts were to give my community the opportunity to learn valuable skills and compete favorably with their counterparts. Truly, the MLSA Program has given me a place to stand, a lever, and a fulcrum long enough that I could move the world around me. [ATTACH type=full" alt="StudentDeveloperTeam_1-1724972710657.jpeg]64318[/ATTACH] Was there a specific experience you had while you were in the program that had a profound impact on you and why? In November 2023, I had the incredible opportunity to speak at the West African MCT/MVP Summit in Abuja, Nigeria. This event brought together MVPs, MCTs, Cloud Advocates, tech professionals, and subject-matter experts from various industries worldwide. Speaking at this summit allowed me to reach a global audience, connect with brilliant minds, and significantly enhance my personal and professional growth. [ATTACH type=full" alt="StudentDeveloperTeam_2-1724972710659.jpeg]64319[/ATTACH] Tell us about a technology you had the chance to gain a skillset in as a Student Ambassador. How has this skill you acquired helped you in your post-university journey? During my ambassadorship, I had the opportunity to gain in-depth knowledge of data science and machine learning. I learned and built projects using Azure Machine Learning Studio, which gave me a competitive edge in the field of data science. This skill has significantly shaped my path towards becoming a computational physicist and has furthered my aspirations to become a research and development professional in the field of ML and AI for multinational companies. What is something you want all students, globally, to know about the Microsoft Learn Student Ambassador Program? The program is truly amazing, offering opportunities for personal growth and the chance to make a positive impact on your community through technology. It serves as a great starting point, launching you into new adventures that can significantly alter the trajectory of your career and help you overcome potential failures. What advice would you give to new Student Ambassadors, who are just starting in the program? Set your goals and pursue them. Share a favorite quote with us! It can be from a movie, a song, a book, or someone you know personally. Tell us why you chose this. What does it mean for you? "There is no passion to be found in playing small, settling for a life that is less than the one you are capable of living." By Nelson Mandela. It truly emphasizes the importance of striving for greatness and not settling for mediocrity. It’s inspiring to see how I applied this mindset to my journey as a Microsoft Ambassador and my efforts in uplifting your community. Tell us something interesting about you, about your journey. My journey in academia and the Microsoft Learn Student Ambassador (MLSA) program has been an incredibly interesting adventure. When I was accepted into the MLSA program, I was already serving as the president of my department. Balancing my studies, my role as president, and my responsibilities as an ambassador was one of the most challenging tasks I have ever undertaken. However, the impact I was making within my community provided me with the strength to overcome these challenges, shaping me into an individual that I have always dreamt of becoming. [ATTACH type=full" alt="StudentDeveloperTeam_3-1724972710668.jpeg]64320[/ATTACH] You can follow Joshua here: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshua-dakim-129096233/ Twitter: x.com Continue reading...

This is the next segment of our blog series highlighting Microsoft Learn Student Ambassadors who achieved the Gold milestone, the highest level attainable, and have recently graduated from university. Each blog in the series features a different student and highlights their accomplishments, their experience with the Student Ambassador community, and what they’re up to now. Today we meet Aayushi who recently graduated with a bachelor’s in Tech in Computer Science & Engineering with a specialization in Cloud Computing and Virtualization Technology from University of Petroleum and Energy Studies in India. Responses have been edited for clarity and length. When did you join the Student Ambassadors community? July 2021 What was being a Student Ambassador like? Serving as a student ambassador was an enriching journey that allowed me to connect with many people and exchange knowledge. By assisting others, I not only learned from those around me but also developed valuable skills in leadership, teamwork, and interpersonal communication. Was there a specific experience you had while you were in the program that had a profound impact on you and why? One specific experience that had a profound impact on me during the program was my involvement in a social impact project, where I participated in the Imagine Cup as a mentor. This opportunity allowed me to guide and inspire students, helping them to develop innovative solutions. Mentoring in this competition not only deepened my understanding of the challenges and creativity involved in social impact projects but also strengthened my leadership and problem-solving skills. Additionally, I had the chance to meet and connect with people from different regions through online interactions, broadening my perspective and cultural awareness. A session with a Cloud Advocate was particularly impactful, as it provided me with insights into the latest technologies and trends, further fueling my passion for learning and growth in the tech field. Moreover, participating in the MVP Summit was a remarkable experience where I had the opportunity to network with MVPs. Engaging with these experts and industry leaders inspired me to strive for excellence and continuously improve my skills. The combination of these experiences has significantly shaped my professional journey, enhancing my ability to contribute meaningfully to both my community and the broader tech industry. Tell us about a technology you had the chance to gain a skillset in as a Student Ambassador. How has this skill you acquired helped you in your post-university journey? During my time as a Student Ambassador, I had the opportunity to gain valuable skills in cloud computing, particularly with Azure, as well as in version control using Git. These technologies have been instrumental in shaping my post-university journey. Learning cloud computing with Azure provided me with a deep understanding of how to build, deploy, and manage applications in a cloud environment. This knowledge has been crucial in my current role, where cloud infrastructure is at the core of the projects I work on. It has enabled me to develop scalable solutions, optimize performance, and ensure security in cloud deployments. Additionally, mastering Git as a version control tool has greatly improved my workflow, making collaboration with teams seamless and efficient. The ability to manage codebases, track changes, and work on multiple features simultaneously has been invaluable in both my professional projects and personal endeavors. These skills have not only boosted my technical proficiency but also enhanced my confidence in taking on complex projects and contributing to innovative solutions in the tech industry. What is something you want all students, globally, to know about the Microsoft Learn Student Ambassador Program? I want all students globally to know that the Microsoft Learn Student Ambassador Program is an incredible space for collaboration and learning. It offers a unique opportunity to connect with like-minded peers, industry experts, and mentors, allowing you to develop both the soft and technical skills that are highly valued in the industry. Through this program, you can gain hands-on experience, enhance your knowledge, and prepare yourself for a successful career in the tech world. What advice would you give to new Student Ambassadors, who are just starting in the program? Grab every opportunity you see in the program; you'll learn a lot. Share a favorite quote with us! It can be from a movie, a song, a book, or someone you know personally. Tell us why you chose this. What does it mean for you? An investment in knowledge pays the best interest. I chose this because I love learning, and it truly enriches my life. For me, this means continuing to learn and enjoying the wisdom gained. Tell us something interesting about you, about your journey. One interesting aspect of my journey in academia and the Microsoft Learn Student Ambassador Program is how it fueled my passion for bridging technology with social impact. Throughout the program, I also had the chance to meet and collaborate with people from diverse backgrounds, which broadened my perspectives and enhanced my cultural understanding. This experience, coupled with sessions led by Cloud Advocates and networking opportunities at the MVP Summit, shaped my approach to learning and leadership. It was in these moments that I realized the true power of community and mentorship in the tech industry, and it has inspired me to continue learning, sharing, and growing in my career. You can follow Aayushi here: Personal Portfolio Website: Aayushi Singh – Medium LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aayushisingh11/ Instagram: Aayushi Singh (@i_aayushisingh) • Instagram photos and videos Twitter: x.com Continue reading...

[HEADING=3]Introduction[/HEADING] Deploying an Azure OpenAI instance integrated with a Search Index and a Storage Account can significantly enhance your applications' capabilities. In this guide, I will walk you through the process step-by-step. [HEADING=3]Prerequisites[/HEADING] An active Azure subscription Azure CLI installed Basic understanding of Azure services [HEADING=3]Step 1: Setting Up the Azure OpenAI Instance[/HEADING] Create a Resource Group. In our case I called it DeployOpenAI. [ATTACH type=full" alt="wernerrall_0-1722520695765.png]64275[/ATTACH] Next we will deploy the Open AI instance by going to All Services and Searching for Open AI [ATTACH type=full" alt="wernerrall_1-1722520779511.png]64276[/ATTACH] Create the Instance by placing it in your same resource Group. Accept all the defaults and press next until Resource is deployed. [ATTACH type=full" alt="wernerrall_0-1722520962870.png]64277[/ATTACH] [ATTACH type=full" alt="wernerrall_1-1722521203205.png]64278[/ATTACH] Click "Go to resource" and Enable the System assigned Managed Identity. Copy the Object ID of the created managed identity for later use. [ATTACH type=full" alt="6.jpg]64279[/ATTACH] [HEADING=3] [/HEADING] [HEADING=3]Step 2: Setting Up the Azure Search Index[/HEADING] In All Services we are searching for AI Search [ATTACH type=full" alt="wernerrall_0-1722596660628.png]64280[/ATTACH] For this example we will be using the Basic pricing tier and a different region. We are using the basic pricing tier because it supports managed identities. We are using UK South region at time of posting this article because Semantic Ranker is only available in certain regions. [ATTACH type=full" alt="wernerrall_11-1722598573430.png]64281[/ATTACH] [ATTACH type=full" alt="wernerrall_2-1722596843213.png]64282[/ATTACH] Click "Go to resource" and ensure Semantic Ranker shows "Selected Plan" [ATTACH type=full" alt="wernerrall_6-1722597420999.png]64283[/ATTACH] Enable the use of RBAC and API keys by setting the Keys to both. [ATTACH type=full" alt="wernerrall_7-1722597558488.png]64284[/ATTACH] Enable the System assigned Managed Identity. Copy the Object ID of the created managed identity for later use. [ATTACH type=full" alt="wernerrall_1-1722600466197.png]64285[/ATTACH] [HEADING=3]Step 3: Creating the Storage Account[/HEADING] In All Services we search for Storage [ATTACH type=full" alt="wernerrall_8-1722597867511.png]64286[/ATTACH] We can technically create the storage account anywhere but I prefer it close to my search index so I will choose UK South as my region. I then adjust the Redundancy to LRS to save some costs. We can keep the default settings for the rest of the Storage Account and go next until my resource is created. [ATTACH type=full" alt="wernerrall_9-1722598070496.png]64287[/ATTACH] [ATTACH type=full" alt="wernerrall_10-1722598471457.png]64288[/ATTACH] Go to Resource and click on Containers [ATTACH type=full" alt="wernerrall_12-1722598665324.png]64289[/ATTACH] Create a new container where we will be storing our knowledge documents or uploading our files [iCODE]az ad signed-in-user show --query id -o tsv[/iCODE] [ATTACH type=full" alt="wernerrall_13-1722598789048.png]64290[/ATTACH] Upload a file you want the Language model to be able to interpret for you later. I will be uploading the Microsoft Azure SLA Documentation in PDF format. Supported Formats are: "Txt, .md, .html, .docx, .pptx, and .pdf" [ATTACH type=full" alt="wernerrall_3-1722601190977.png]64291[/ATTACH] [HEADING=3]Step 4: Granting Permissions[/HEADING] The permissions can sometimes be confusing, especially if you don't normally work in Azure. Copy the script from my GitHub Repository --> RallTheory/OpenAIBYODPermissions/OpenAIStudioPermissionsRequired.sh at main · WernerRall147/RallTheory (github.com) # Variables resourceGroup="#TODO" userObjectId="#TODO" managedIdentityObjectId1="#TODO" managedIdentityObjectId2="#TODO" subscriptionId="#TODO" # Assign Cognitive Services OpenAI Contributor az role assignment create --assignee $userObjectId --role "Cognitive Services OpenAI Contributor" --scope /subscriptions/$subscriptionId/resourceGroups/$resourceGroup az role assignment create --assignee $managedIdentityObjectId1 --role "Cognitive Services OpenAI Contributor" --scope /subscriptions/$subscriptionId/resourceGroups/$resourceGroup az role assignment create --assignee $managedIdentityObjectId2 --role "Cognitive Services OpenAI Contributor" --scope /subscriptions/$subscriptionId/resourceGroups/$resourceGroup # Assign Cognitive Services Contributor az role assignment create --assignee $userObjectId --role "Cognitive Services Contributor" --scope /subscriptions/$subscriptionId/resourceGroups/$resourceGroup az role assignment create --assignee $managedIdentityObjectId1 --role "Cognitive Services Contributor" --scope /subscriptions/$subscriptionId/resourceGroups/$resourceGroup az role assignment create --assignee $managedIdentityObjectId2 --role "Cognitive Services Contributor" --scope /subscriptions/$subscriptionId/resourceGroups/$resourceGroup # Assign Search Index Data Reader az role assignment create --assignee $userObjectId --role "Search Index Data Reader" --scope /subscriptions/$subscriptionId/resourceGroups/$resourceGroup az role assignment create --assignee $managedIdentityObjectId1 --role "Search Index Data Reader" --scope /subscriptions/$subscriptionId/resourceGroups/$resourceGroup az role assignment create --assignee $managedIdentityObjectId2 --role "Search Index Data Reader" --scope /subscriptions/$subscriptionId/resourceGroups/$resourceGroup # Assign Storage Blob Data Contributor az role assignment create --assignee $userObjectId --role "Storage Blob Data Contributor" --scope /subscriptions/$subscriptionId/resourceGroups/$resourceGroup az role assignment create --assignee $managedIdentityObjectId1 --role "Storage Blob Data Contributor" --scope /subscriptions/$subscriptionId/resourceGroups/$resourceGroup az role assignment create --assignee $managedIdentityObjectId2 --role "Storage Blob Data Contributor" --scope /subscriptions/$subscriptionId/resourceGroups/$resourceGroup # Assign Search Service Contributor az role assignment create --assignee $userObjectId --role "Search Service Contributor" --scope /subscriptions/$subscriptionId/resourceGroups/$resourceGroup az role assignment create --assignee $managedIdentityObjectId1 --role "Search Service Contributor" --scope /subscriptions/$subscriptionId/resourceGroups/$resourceGroup az role assignment create --assignee $managedIdentityObjectId2 --role "Search Service Contributor" --scope /subscriptions/$subscriptionId/resourceGroups/$resourceGroup Only replace the Variables Section with the #TODO labels. The 2 Managed Identity Objects we copied from earlier steps. To get your own user Object Id you can run the below script by launching the Azure Cloud Shell. [ATTACH type=full" alt="wernerrall_0-1722599423381.png]64292[/ATTACH] [iCODE]az ad signed-in-user show --query id -o tsv[/iCODE] Our variables should now look something like this (I have hidden some of the characters) # Variables resourceGroup="DeployOpenAI" userObjectId="6167fxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx" managedIdentityObjectId1="f24cbcxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx" managedIdentityObjectId2="542bxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx" subscriptionId="2910xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx" Now we are ready to apply the permissions. Copy the entire script including the variables section and paste it as is in the Azure Cloud Shell. Then press Enter. Your output should look similar to below. [ATTACH type=full" alt="wernerrall_2-1722600829768.png]64293[/ATTACH] If all permissions applied successfully, we should have no problem in the Open AI Studio. [HEADING=3]Step 5: Open AI Studio Deployment[/HEADING] Head over to our Open AI deployment and click "Go to Azure OpenAI Studio" [ATTACH type=full" alt="wernerrall_5-1722776864361.png]64294[/ATTACH] On the landing page click on Deployments and Deploy Model [ATTACH type=full" alt="wernerrall_6-1722601456854.png]64295[/ATTACH] We will be deploying 2 models. The Base "text-embedding-ada-002" and the "gpt-4o" models. Let's start with text-embedding-ada-002. [ATTACH type=full" alt="image.png]64296[/ATTACH] [ATTACH type=full" alt="wernerrall_15-1722602842388.png]64297[/ATTACH] Next we deploy the GPT-4o model [ATTACH type=full" alt="wernerrall_9-1722601834303.png]64298[/ATTACH] [ATTACH type=full" alt="wernerrall_10-1722601889392.png]64299[/ATTACH] You should now see both your deployments [ATTACH type=full" alt="wernerrall_18-1722602973734.png]64300[/ATTACH] Now we need to load our data from the Storage Account into the AI Search Index. In Chat, we can click "Add your data". [ATTACH type=full" alt="wernerrall_14-1722602497433.png]64301[/ATTACH] [ATTACH type=full" alt="wernerrall_19-1722603046983.png]64302[/ATTACH] We will use Hybrid + semantic search [ATTACH type=full" alt="wernerrall_20-1722603087865.png]64303[/ATTACH] Click next on System Assigned Managed Identity. If our permissions applied correctly, we shouldn't get any errors here and we can continue to Save and Close. [ATTACH type=full" alt="wernerrall_21-1722603138779.png]64304[/ATTACH] [ATTACH type=full" alt="wernerrall_22-1722603199130.png]64305[/ATTACH] You will see your data getting processed and Indexed. [ATTACH type=full" alt="wernerrall_0-1722603321334.png]64306[/ATTACH] And lastly, we need to create a deployment to a Web App so we can interact with all of these pieces. Let's go to Chat and click "Deploy to a web app" [ATTACH type=full" alt="wernerrall_1-1722603377394.png]64307[/ATTACH] We can fill in all the details here. If this is the second or third time I am deploying I can also choose "Update an Existing Web App" [ATTACH type=full" alt="wernerrall_2-1722603468790.png]64308[/ATTACH] To see if my app is deploying, I can go back to the Azure Portal and take a look in the Resource Group under Deployments [ATTACH type=full" alt="wernerrall_3-1722603560137.png]64309[/ATTACH] Once my website is ready I can simply go to Web Apps or find my new Web App in the Resource Group. [ATTACH type=full" alt="wernerrall_4-1722776850654.png]64310[/ATTACH][ATTACH type=full" alt="wernerrall_0-1722604005450.png]64311[/ATTACH] Now we can finally enjoy our newly deployed Large Language Model. [ATTACH type=full" alt="wernerrall_0-1722776508865.png]64312[/ATTACH] [ATTACH type=full" alt="wernerrall_1-1722776560091.png]64313[/ATTACH] [ATTACH type=full" alt="wernerrall_2-1722776589889.png]64314[/ATTACH] You might get this from time to time [ATTACH type=full" alt="wernerrall_3-1722776692664.png]64315[/ATTACH] To fix this we can either: 1. Increase our models Rate Limits or request more Quota, this may require a redeploy to your existing web app. If we still encounter the error, we can deploy other models with more quota available out-of-the-box or we can request quota for our required model from Azure Support. 2. Decrease the size of our documents by converting them to easier formats like ".txt" or "md". Converting file formats like PDF to TXT can significantly help reduce token usage when working with Azure OpenAI or any other text-based AI model. In this blog I chose to deploy gpt-4 as a different model to try assist in solving our problem [ATTACH type=full" alt="image.png]64316[/ATTACH] [ATTACH type=full" alt="image.png]64317[/ATTACH] After adding some quota and redeploying the app with gpt-4 we are now getting better responses. I hope this has been a helpful walkthrough! Disclaimer The sample scripts are not supported under any Microsoft standard support program or service. The sample scripts or Power BI Dashboards are provided AS IS without warranty of any kind. Microsoft further disclaims all implied warranties including, without limitation, any implied warranties of merchantability or of fitness for a particular purpose. The entire risk arising out of the use or performance of the sample scripts and documentation remains with you. In no event shall Microsoft, its authors, or anyone else involved in the creation, production, or delivery of the scripts or Power BI Dashboards be liable for any damages whatsoever (including, without limitation, damages for loss of business profits, business interruption, loss of business information, or other pecuniary loss) arising out of the use of or inability to use the sample scripts or documentation, even if Microsoft has been advised of the possibility of such damages. This blog post was written with the help of generative AI. Continue reading...

This is the next segment of our blog series highlighting Microsoft Learn Student Ambassadors who achieved the Gold milestone, the highest level attainable, and have recently graduated from university. Each blog in the series features a different student and highlights their accomplishments, their experience with the Student Ambassador community, and what they’re up to now. Today we meet Hrittik who recently graduated with a bachelor’s in computer science from JIS University in India. Responses have been edited for clarity and length. When did you join the Student Ambassadors community? I joined the Student Ambassadors Community to have a supportive network where I could both help and be helped by others. I wanted to access cloud credits to deepen my knowledge of Azure and Kubernetes, and I was eager to meet like-minded people passionate about technology which I did.😊 What was being a Student Ambassador like? Being a Student Ambassador was an amazing experience. I became the go-to person on campus, with people seeking my help for events, cloud projects, and guidance on becoming an MLSA. I loved mentoring others and cherished the interactions, learning so much from countless calls with peers and experts alike. Was there a specific experience you had while you were in the program that had a profound impact on you and why? One of the most profound experiences I had in the program was networking with a Cloud Advocate and MVP. Collaborating on events with an MVP gave me the confidence to dive deeper into cloud experimentation, eventually leading me to pursue a career as a DevRel in the cloud-native ecosystem. This small journey took me to 10 different countries as a student, where I delivered talks and shared my knowledge. [ATTACH type=full" alt="StudentDeveloperTeam_1-1724972291632.jpeg]64273[/ATTACH] Witnessing the Northern Lights this January due to a conference visit. Tell us about a technology you had the chance to gain a skillset in as a Student Ambassador. How has this skill you acquired helped you in your post-university journey? During my time as a Student Ambassador, I focused heavily on cloud and cloud-native technologies. I pursued numerous certifications, including CKA and Azure-related, which solidified my expertise. Writing hundreds of articles and helping people solve real-world problems deepened my understanding and made me a resource for others. These skills have been invaluable in my post-university journey, enabling me to tackle complex challenges and continue contributing to the tech community. A few of these certs: Credly What is something you want all students, globally, to know about the Microsoft Learn Student Ambassador Program? One thing I want all students to know about the Microsoft Learn Student Ambassador Program is that the cloud credits are an incredible resource. They allow you to experiment, learn, and explore without the barrier of needing a credit card. I’ve gained so much knowledge through this opportunity, and I encourage you to take full advantage of it! What advice would you give to new Student Ambassadors, who are just starting in the program? My advice to new Student Ambassadors is to connect with others and collaborate on projects that can educate and uplift your community. Make the most of your Azure credits by experimenting and building proofs of concept. And don’t forget to document your journey, sharing your insights will benefit both you and those who follow in your footsteps. Share a favorite quote with us! It can be from a movie, a song, a book, or someone you know personally. Tell us why you chose this. What does it mean for you? “We suffer more in imagination than in reality.” What this means is get things done and if it's meant to be, it will be. 😊 Tell us something interesting about you, about your journey. When I started, there was no tech community at my university. I took the initiative to build one from the ground up, introducing people to new technologies and opportunities. Today, that community has grown into a thriving ecosystem that continues to flourish even without me, something I’m incredibly proud of! [ATTACH type=full" alt="StudentDeveloperTeam_2-1724972291646.jpeg]64274[/ATTACH] Attending my first Europe event after overcoming a painful visa rejection the previous year. You can follow Hrittik here: LinkedIn: Hrittik Roy - Loft Labs | LinkedIn Instagram: Hrittik Roy (@hrittikhere) • Instagram photos and videos Twitter: x.com Continue reading...

This is the next segment of our blog series highlighting Microsoft Learn Student Ambassadors who achieved the Gold milestone, the highest level attainable, and have recently graduated from university. Each blog in the series features a different student and highlights their accomplishments, their experience with the Student Ambassador community, and what they’re up to now. Today we meet Harshavardhan who recently graduated with a bachelor’s in technology from Amity University Kolkata in India. Responses have been edited for clarity and length. When did you join the Student Ambassadors community? I joined the Student Ambassadors community back in 2022. What was being a Student Ambassador like? Being a student ambassador has always been nothing short of a journey of exploring, learning, connecting and growing to innovate solutions that can shape the future and redefine the way we work. It has helped me in a lot of perspectives from being just a student to a community leader who has brought change in the society by using Azure to build innovations addressing education, vision, common but life-saving medical issues and building a community to bring together people who can help each other in different fields, gain perspective and help everyone build. It has made me into a strong community leader, an innovator who is taking thousands and building them into community leaders who would carry on with the process. [ATTACH type=full" alt="StudentDeveloperTeam_1-1724972013719.jpeg]64270[/ATTACH] The first hackathon organized by Harshavardhan and the very first hackathon in his college. Was there a specific experience you had while you were in the program that had a profound impact on you and why? Yes, there are multiple moments that have left an impact on me: while conducting seminars and workshops, meeting with MVPs, creating projects and taking part in different initiatives. The one that had helped me grow a lot was organizing, managing & speaking at Azure Developer Day Kolkata sponsored with Azure Developer Community where Sourav Ganguly and Ambarish Ganguly, ex MVP had joined us too. It was my first time organizing a solo event at such a large scale. which helped me a lot to understand, learn and build my skills on how to organize, interact, manage and speak. [ATTACH type=full" alt="StudentDeveloperTeam_2-1724972013725.jpeg]64271[/ATTACH] Harshavardhan at his latest event at Microsoft office, Gurugram where he shared how you can build an AI Text Translator app in 1 hour! Tell us about a technology you had the chance to gain a skillset in as a Student Ambassador. How has this skill you acquired helped you in your post-university journey? The best thing I learned was Azure. I have cracked 7 certifications which includes: AZ-102, DP-100, MCE-100, AI-900, DP-900, PL-900, AZ-900. I learned almost everything about Azure, especially about Azure AI services which has helped me a lot in gaining the new cutting-edge skills that are required and building faster innovations with the prebuilt models. This skill has helped me a lot in building cloud solutions during different hackathons and in my company using prompt flow, Azure ML models and AI services. The leadership and teamwork skills helped me a lot in becoming a great speaker, mentor and community leader. Now I am handling a growing community of over 1,000 members, which has helped me become a GitHub Campus Expert. What is something you want all students, globally, to know about the Microsoft Learn Student Ambassador Program? I want them to know that this is a program that is different from all other programs that's out there. It allows you to go beyond any boundaries of the region, college. You have the capability to host and build communities anywhere. Get mentorship sessions from top mentors Get the preview of the best tools coming out soon What advice would you give to new Student Ambassadors, who are just starting in the program? The advice I would give them is that they should not join the program just for swags, they should look beyond. Make use of Azure credits to build and innovate and try new things as much as they can. Make use of the sessions and learn from them, ask questions, and interact. Finally, share your gained knowledge with others and find fun ways to act upon them. Share a favorite quote with us! It can be from a movie, a song, a book, or someone you know personally. Tell us why you chose this. What does it mean for you? Never stop hustling. I chose this because I believe we should be unstoppable and never stop hustling because we don't know what's next. It means like a motto, inspiration to me which helps me a lot in staying positive and motivated. Tell us something interesting about you, about your journey. The best thing about this journey was from being just a student to becoming MLSA then cracking other ambassador programs, writing articles on Azure during my internship, cracking certificates and building solutions to winning Hackathons. During this journey I also built a community of my own, giving multiple sessions starting from just 10 attendees to 1000+ attendees. From virtual to offline events. I am now giving virtual sessions globally with MVPs out there and becoming a GitHub Campus Expert. [ATTACH type=full" alt="StudentDeveloperTeam_3-1724972013733.jpeg]64272[/ATTACH] Harshavardhan’s first time as a speaker at a college in a different city! DevsHouse - VIT Chennai You can follow Harshavardhan here: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/harshavardhan-bajoria Continue reading...

August is here, and so are some new features and enhancements that make Microsoft Teams even more powerful and easier to use! In July, we shared ways you can customize how you express yourself in chat, new options for personalizing your gallery views, and more. There were some great new features to explore, and we have plenty more to share this month. Two that are sure to create waves are using Copilot to search your chat history using time-based phrases (e.g., “last month”), and Channel cards that show a snapshot of key information about the channel. Read on to find out more about those features and see what else we’re unveiling in these categories: Chat and Collaboration Meetings, Mesh in Teams, Webinars, and Town Halls Teams Rooms and Devices Teams Phone [HEADING=1]Chat and Collaboration[/HEADING] Time-based prompts in Copilot in chat There's no need to manually scroll and search through extensive chat histories. Now when you activate Copilot in your chat, you can use time-based phrases like "yesterday," "last month," "6 months ago," or " December 2023" in your prompts. Copilot will efficiently locate and provide insights on information from the time period you specify. Learn more. [ATTACH type=full" alt="Teams Time based prompt1.png]64259[/ATTACH] Request to join a shared channel via channel link It is now easier for users to access relevant shared channels and for channel owners to manage memberships. Users that share the same tenant can request to join a shared channel by using the channel's share link. Channel owners will receive the join request and can easily approve or deny requests. While fostering efficient collaboration in organizations, this feature also helps to reduce administrative tasks for channel owners. [ATTACH type=full" alt="Pete_Daderko_0-1724940028147.png]64260[/ATTACH] Channel cards Now you can get a quick overview of a channel using its channel card. Hover over the channel name in the header, or wherever the channel is mentioned, to see important information, such as the channel description, last activity time, team name, and membership information, helping you quickly understand the context and purpose of the channel. The card also provides easy access to notification settings, owner channel management, and the channel roster. [ATTACH type=full" alt="Channel Cards.png]64261[/ATTACH] Apps now supported in group chats with external users You can now access applications in group chats with individuals outside your organization, allowing for improved collaboration and productivity. Group chat participants from the tenant hosting the chat can install, remove, or update applications for use by all members. All participants can use apps shared by people in other organizations in group chats hosted by those organizations. The installation of apps within these chats will adhere to the app policies of the organization that creates the chat. Learn more about external collaboration access. Show/hide discover feed Discover feed delivers a personalized, relevance-based feed of Teams channel content to make it easier for you to stay informed and engaged with the content that matters to you most. You can now show or hide the discover feed by going to settings > general and setting the toggle to on or off. Learn more. [ATTACH type=full" alt="Pete_Daderko_2-1724940028217.png]64262[/ATTACH] [HEADING=1]Meetings, Mesh in Teams, Webinars, and Town Halls[/HEADING] Intelligent meeting recap with AI-generated notes and tasks for GCC environment AI-generated notes and tasks within intelligent meeting recap are now available in the Government Community Cloud (GCC) environment. Intelligent meeting recap streamlines post-meeting processes by providing a comprehensive recap of meeting events, identifying follow-up tasks, summarizing key points, and granting quick access to essential meeting details. This update adds to the features already available to GCC customers within intelligent recap, which include personalized timeline markers, speaker timeline markers, chapters, and topics. A Teams Premium GCC license or a Microsoft Copilot for Microsoft 365 GCC license is required. Intelligent meeting recap for unscheduled townhalls for Android devices Intelligent meeting recap enables unscheduled town hall participants using Android devices to browse meeting recordings by speaker name and topic title. Intelligent recap is an AI-powered feature from Microsoft Teams that will help users catch up on missed meetings with AI-generated notes, follow-up tasks, name mentions, topics, chapters, speaker identification, and more. Teams Premium users can find it on the new 'Recap' tab in the Teams calendar event detail and in chat. Town hall reactions Town hall participants can now send and see reactions (for example “like”, “love”, “applause”, “laugh”, or “surprised”) to express themselves in real-time during a town hall. Attendees can select the reaction they wish to temporarily display to the presenters and other attendees via the actions ribbon at the top of the town hall window. Reactions appear as a continuous stream on the side of the screen, giving real-time representation of participant sentiment. Reactions allow organizers and presenters to gauge how the audience is reacting to content. Reactions are available in town hall instances created by a user with a Teams Premium license. [ATTACH type=full" alt="Pete_Daderko_3-1724940028264.png]64263[/ATTACH] Teams webinar creation and registration APIs Customers and developers can now use new APIs to create, update, and delete webinars. They can also register attendees to existing webinars. Webinar Creation and Registration APIs is included in all Teams licenses. Town hall Graph APIs Graph APIs in town halls allow organizers to create, update, publish, and delete town hall events. Organizers can also get and list Town Hall Sessions, get, list, and create presenters, and create or update presenter profile photos. Graph APIs are included in all Teams licenses. Town hall export Q&A questions After an event, organizers can now export attendee questions as a .CSV file. This can help organizers understand the types of questions asked, document and catalog those that have been answered, and get a better understanding of the general sentiment of a town hall. The data can also be shared on a SharePoint site or through email with attendees. Export Q&A questions is included in all Teams licenses. Cross-Room reaction visualizations for hosts Mesh event hosts can now see attendees’ raised hands and reactions across all rooms in multi-room events. Multi-room events occur when a Mesh event exceeds 16 attendees, helping to scale these inclusive events to larger audiences. This feature allows hosts to determine the sentiment in events and bridge the experience gap by giving them the ability to see reactions coming from across multiple different rooms in a single event, helping presenters to easily gauge participant feedback from all attendees in larger-scale events. The cross-room reaction visualization for hosts is available in Teams Premium. [ATTACH type=full" alt="Pete_Daderko_5-1724940028392.png]64264[/ATTACH] [HEADING=1]Teams Rooms and Devices[/HEADING] Find certified for Teams devices for all types of spaces and uses at aka.ms/teamsdevices. Join Zoom meetings with an ID and passcode from a Teams room on Android If your organization has enabled Direct Guest Join meetings for Teams Rooms on Android, you can now join Zoom meetings with an ID and a passcode. To be configured, this feature requires a Teams Rooms Pro license. Learn how to enable Teams Rooms devices to join third-party meetings - Microsoft Teams | Microsoft Learn. [ATTACH type=full" alt="Pete_Daderko_6-1724940028428.png]64265[/ATTACH] Custom background for Teams Rooms on Android using Teams admin center This new feature for Teams Rooms on Android enables IT admins to upload custom background images from the Teams admin center. Custom backgrounds can showcase your brand identity or provide support information in your Teams meeting rooms. The main room display, extended room display, and touch console can each have its own custom background image. PNG, JPG, and JPEG, formats are supported. This feature is available with the Teams Rooms Pro license. [ATTACH type=full" alt="Pete_Daderko_7-1724940028439.png]64266[/ATTACH] Text and UI resizing for Teams Rooms on Windows With text and UI resizing for Teams Rooms, IT admins can now adjust the size of the text and all other UI elements on the front-of-room display by changing the display scaling settings. Text and UI elements are resized and adjusted for all supported display resolution and scaling combinations, including 1080p resolution at 100-150% scaling, and 4K resolution at 100-300% scaling. This capability is extended to support touch boards. Yealink CM20 Ceiling Audio System The Yealink CM20 Ceiling Audio System is a comprehensive package designed as the core audio setup for large conference rooms. It is equipped with CM20 ceiling microphones, CS10 ceiling speakers, Yealink AVHub and a RCH40 E2 switch. One AI-Powered Ceiling Audio package handles standard large rooms, while two can cover extra-large spaces. Each package runs independently, ensuring secure and stable audio. Learn more [ATTACH type=full" alt="Pete_Daderko_8-1724940028459.png]64267[/ATTACH] Logitech Rally Bar + Mic Pods for Teams Rooms on Windows (with Lenovo Core) Transform any mid-sized room to a Microsoft Teams Room meeting place with this newly certified for Teams, all-inclusive room solution from Logitech, featuring Rally Bar, Logitech Tap, 4 Rally Mic Pods, and Lenovo Core mini PC. Rally Bar's motorized PTZ camera, room-filling speakers, and a sensitive microphone array deliver a premium user experience that’s easy to install and manage. In addition, the Rally Mic Pods expand your audio coverage with beamforming microphones. Premium materials, thoughtful cable management, and a sleek 10.1” touch controller integrate beautifully into the modern workplace. Learn more [ATTACH type=full" alt="Logitech Rally Bar.png]64268[/ATTACH] Yealink Teams Phone MP E2 series The Yealink Teams Phone MP E2 series is equipped with support for the Microsoft Device Ecosystem Platform (MDEP) and Android 13. Designed for common areas, front desks, and offices, the Yealink Teams Phone MP E2 Series provides seamless collaboration. Learn more. [ATTACH type=full" alt="Pete_Daderko_10-1724940028474.jpeg]64269[/ATTACH] [HEADING=1]Teams Phone[/HEADING] Callback for call queues Eligible callers waiting in a call queue can now receive a callback to their phone number when an agent becomes available. Callers become eligible for a callback based on conditions configured by admins such as exceeding a certain wait time, the number of calls in the queue, or the calls-to-agent ratio. Eligible callers will be given the option to request a callback after the music on hold finishes playing, and admins can customize the messaging, key press, and notification email for failed callbacks. Learn more about how to configure callback for call queues here. Continue reading...

[ATTACH type=full" alt="WhatsNewBanner.png]64253[/ATTACH] Welcome to the August 2024 edition of What's New in Copilot for Microsoft 365! Every month, we highlight new features and enhancements for Copilot for Microsoft 365, to keep Microsoft 365 admins up to date with Copilot features that help your users be more productive and efficient in the apps they use every day. Let’s take a closer look at what’s new this month. Admin and management capabilities: Copilot for Microsoft 365 Risk Assessment QuickStart Guide Additional language support for Copilot for Microsoft 365 Microsoft Copilot Dashboard integrated with sentiment survey data from Viva Glint and Viva Pulse Microsoft Copilot for Microsoft 365 is empowering the public sector End-user capabilities: Improvements to Copilot for Microsoft 365 with Graph-grounded chat Pasting content becomes easier with Copilot in Word Support student learning with solutions to quiz questions using Copilot in Forms Summarize content over a specific period of time with Copilot in Teams New prompt collections for Sales, Finance, and the Energy Sector in Copilot Lab [HEADING=1]Copilot for Microsoft 365 Risk Assessment QuickStart Guide[/HEADING] A new Risk Assessment QuickStart Guide is now available to assist organizations in performing a comprehensive risk assessment of Copilot for Microsoft 365. The document serves as an initial reference for risk identification, mitigation exploration, and stakeholder discussions. The guide includes: An AI Risks and Mitigations Framework: This framework outlines the primary AI risk categories and how Microsoft addresses them at both company and service levels. Sample Risk Assessment: This presents a set of real customer-derived questions and answers to assess the service and its risk posture. The guide also includes links to a variety of additional resources that point you a broader, more detailed set of materials on Copilot for Microsoft 365 and AI risk management. [HEADING=1]Additional language support for Copilot for Microsoft 365[/HEADING] Copilot for Microsoft 365 will soon support an additional 12 languages: Bulgarian, Croatian, Estonian, Greek, Indonesian, Latvian, Lithuanian, Romanian, Serbian (Latin), Slovak, Slovenian and Vietnamese. In addition, we are also introducing support for Welsh and Catalan and are making improvements to the responses Copilot can provide for specific language variants including Dutch (Belgium), German (Switzerland), English (UK), Spanish (Mexico) and French (Canada). These improvements mean your users can anticipate responses that better reflect colloquial expressions, and linguistic conventions in these countries. As always, we are continually refining Copilot’s language capabilities and encourage users to provide us with actionable feedback. These language updates are rolling out in September. We’re excited to help people around the world do even more with Copilot in the workplace. [HEADING=1]Microsoft Copilot Dashboard integrated with sentiment survey data from Viva Glint and Viva Pulse[/HEADING] Copilot survey results from Viva Glint or Viva Pulse will soon be integrated directly into the Microsoft Copilot Dashboard. This new integration streamlines the process for Copilot surveys initiated through Viva Glint or Pulse, providing a view into employee sentiment about Copilot adoption and impact. Users can start a new Pulse survey directly from the Copilot Dashboard and view results from multiple Pulse, Glint, or admin uploaded survey results. These updates are rolling out in September. Access to Viva Glint and Viva Pulse surveys require a premium Microsoft Viva Suite, Workplace Analytics and Feedback license or Viva Glint license. Admins will continue to have the ability to manually upload survey results. [ATTACH type=full" alt="A computer screenshot of the sentiment section of the Copilot Dashboard]64254[/ATTACH]A computer screenshot of the sentiment section of the Copilot Dashboard [HEADING=1] [/HEADING] [HEADING=1]Microsoft Copilot for Microsoft 365 is empowering the public sector[/HEADING] Microsoft Copilot for Microsoft 365 GCC will be generally available October 2024, subject to US Government authorization. This AI assistant for work is designed to boost productivity and foster innovation within the public sector by integrating large language models with your organization's data and the Microsoft 365 Apps people use every day. Additionally, Microsoft Copilot in Microsoft 365 GCC High and DOD will be generally available in Summer 2025, pending US Government authorization. [HEADING=1]Improvements to Copilot for Microsoft 365 with Graph-grounded chat[/HEADING] Several improvements to Copilot for Microsoft 365 Graph-grounded chat are coming in September. In Outlook, Graph-grounded chat will be able to reason over a user’s archive mailbox, expanding coverage to all the email content in their primary mailbox. Users will also be able to navigate to specific folders or sub-folders to get responses that prioritize emails in those folders. In Teams, users can ground conversations in Microsoft Teams group chats to quickly find and use relevant information when crafting prompts. When using Graph-grounded chat, users will see significant improvements to the ability to reason over large files as a grounding source for prompts. Users will also be able to paste more content in the Copilot search area with an increase from 2,000 characters to 16,000 characters. Finally, users will be able to specify files located in a specific app, folder or site, using prompts like “Find the files in my OneDrive”, “Find files in the Marketing site”, or “Find files in the Documents folder.” [HEADING=1]Pasting content becomes easier with Copilot in Word[/HEADING] Now, when users paste content into Word, they will see expanded paste options with Copilot that enable them to quickly and easily improve their documents. When pasting content, users can use Copilot suggestions to easily re-word it, transform it into a table or list, and more. This feature is available today for web, and rolling out soon for desktop and Mac. [ATTACH type=full" alt="An image of a table pasted in poor formatting, then the user uses Copilot to paste the content into a well formatted table.]64255[/ATTACH]An image of a table pasted in poor formatting, then the user uses Copilot to paste the content into a well formatted table. [HEADING=1] [/HEADING] [HEADING=1]Support student learning with solutions to quiz questions using Copilot in Forms[/HEADING] With Copilot in Forms quizzes, teachers can easily generate step-by-step solutions to each question. When students turn in quizzes, if teachers give students the option to immediately view their results, students can check their scores to see what they've mastered, and further study the step-by-step solutions supported by Copilot, helping them learn from their mistakes. This feature is rolling out in August. [ATTACH type=full" alt="A quiz where the student answered a question incorrectly and is now viewing the step by step solution explained]64256[/ATTACH]A quiz where the student answered a question incorrectly and is now viewing the step by step solution explained [HEADING=1] [/HEADING] [HEADING=1]Summarize content over a specific period of time with Copilot in Teams[/HEADING] Users no longer need to manually scroll and search through extensive chat histories. Now when they activate Copilot in chat, they can use time-based phrases like "yesterday," "last month," "6 months ago," or " December 2023" in prompts. Copilot will efficiently locate and provide insights on information from the time period specified. This feature started rolling out in August. Learn more about using Copilot in Microsoft Teams chat and channels. [ATTACH type=full" alt="Copilot generated a list of action items from March, after submitting time-based prompt]64257[/ATTACH]Copilot generated a list of action items from March, after submitting time-based prompt [HEADING=1]New prompt collections for Sales, Finance, and the Energy Sector in Copilot Lab[/HEADING] New functional prompt collections tailored for sales, finance, and the energy sector are now available in Copilot Lab. This expansion of our functional prompt collection, which started releasing in May, is designed to inspire and guide users to create their own high-quality prompts specific to a role or industry. For example, sales professionals will find prompt suggestions such as, Draft a strategic account plan template tailored for [customer name] that aligns with our sales targets and their business objectives. The plan should be written from a Sales Account Executive perspective, and it should also include a SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats) analysis, key stakeholder mapping, and a timeline of engagement activities leading up to the final pitch. Please format this as a structured document with clear headings and action items. Finance professionals will find prompt suggestions such as, Generate a comprehensive risk assessment report based on the risk evaluation data provided in this [document]. Categorize risks into financial, operational, and strategic types, and suggest mitigation strategies. Professionals in the energy sector will find prompt suggestions such as, Provide an analysis of the development concepts that have been successful for other reservoirs in the Permian Basin. Break your analysis into manageable sections and use specific examples to illustrate your points. This is the second set of collections, after our first set of collections started rolling out in May. New collections will continue to be added in the future. You can also explore newly added prompts across Copilot for Microsoft 365 apps including Planner, Microsoft Forms, SharePoint, and OneDrive. Visit Copilot Lab today to elevate your prompt creation journey. [ATTACH type=full" alt="A screenshot of the second tab in Copilot Lab called “Prompts to Try” with a drop down list of Job Types.]64258[/ATTACH]A screenshot of the second tab in Copilot Lab called “Prompts to Try” with a drop down list of Job Types. Did you know? The Microsoft 365 Roadmap is where you can get the latest updates on productivity apps and intelligent cloud services. Please note that the dates mentioned in this article are tentative and subject to change. Check back regularly to see what features are in development or coming soon. Continue reading...

Check out new AI integrations for your Azure SQL databases. With Retrieval Augmented Generation, you can bridge structured data with generative AI, enhancing natural language queries across applications. With advanced vector-based semantic search, discover precise insights tailored to your data, while Copilot in Azure streamlines troubleshooting and T-SQL query authoring. Optimize workflows, personalize responses, and unlock new levels of efficiency in SQL-driven AI applications. [ATTACH type=full" alt="Main.png]64249[/ATTACH] Accelerate performance troubleshooting and complex query authoring tasks with Copilot in Azure. Quickly diagnose database issues and receive expert recommendations for optimization, ensuring optimal performance and reliability. Seamlessly traverse hierarchies within tables and generate intricate queries with ease, saving time and resources. Bob Ward, Azure Principal Architect, shows how to unleash the full potential of your SQL data, driving innovation and intelligence across your applications. [HEADING=3]Transform SQL applications with AI.[/HEADING] [ATTACH type=full" alt="1.png]64250[/ATTACH] [HEADING=3] [/HEADING] [HEADING=3] [/HEADING] [HEADING=3]Boost relevance and maintain dynamic indexes by generating vector embeddings.[/HEADING] [ATTACH type=full" alt="2.png]64251[/ATTACH] Utilize skillsets to apply specialized services, optimizing data representation. [HEADING=3]Precise search results with hybrid search capabilities in SQL.[/HEADING] [ATTACH type=full" alt="3.png]64252[/ATTACH] Utilize vectors, embeddings, JSON, and geospatial queries seamlessly for tailored outcomes. [HEADING=3] [/HEADING] [HEADING=3] [/HEADING] [HEADING=3]Watch our video:[/HEADING] [HEADING=3]QUICK LINKS:[/HEADING]  — AI and Azure SQL  — Using T-SQL for search  — Using Azure AI Search — Vector embeddings and skillsets  — Connect your SQL data to an AI app  — Test it in Azure OpenAI Studio playground — Combine native JSON data type in SQL  — Hybrid search  — Copilot in Azure: Performance troubleshooting  — Copilot in Azure: Query authoring  — Permissions  — Wrap up [HEADING=3] [/HEADING] [HEADING=3] [/HEADING] [HEADING=3]Link References[/HEADING] For building AI apps, check out Intelligent applications - Azure SQL Database Try out new copilot experiences at Microsoft Copilot skills and Azure SQL Database (preview) - Azure SQL [HEADING=3] [/HEADING] [HEADING=3] [/HEADING] [HEADING=3]Unfamiliar with Microsoft Mechanics?[/HEADING] As Microsoft’s official video series for IT, you can watch and share valuable content and demos of current and upcoming tech from the people who build it at Microsoft. Subscribe to our YouTube: Microsoft Mechanics Talk with other IT Pros, join us on the Microsoft Tech Community: Microsoft Mechanics Blog Watch or listen from anywhere, subscribe to our podcast: Microsoft Mechanics Podcast [HEADING=3] [/HEADING] [HEADING=3] [/HEADING] [HEADING=3]Keep getting this insider knowledge, join us on social:[/HEADING] Follow us on Twitter: x.com Share knowledge on LinkedIn: Microsoft Mechanics | LinkedIn Enjoy us on Instagram: Microsoft Mechanics (@msftmechanics) • Instagram photos and videos Loosen up with us on TikTok: TikTok - Make Your Day [HEADING=3]Video Transcript:[/HEADING] - If you have SQL databases, you can now bring your data to generative AI apps as part of Retrieval Augmented Generation, apply the latest AI-powered, vector-based semantic search to light up natural language queries across your apps and use Copilot in Azure yourself for faster AI-powered troubleshooting and expert help in T-SQL query authoring. So to unpack all of this, I’m joined once again by Bob Ward from the SQL Team, no stranger to Mechanics, welcome back to the show. - It’s great to be back, Jeremy. - Thanks for joining us today. You know, especially now more than ever, generative AI is important and your data source is really key to grounding the accuracy of responses. That said, that you don’t often see, you know, structured data being used in generative AI scenarios, but there’s no reason you can’t do that now. - There isn’t. There’s nothing holding you back from leveraging your existing SQL data, on premises or cloud, to get started with generative AI today. Large language models are trained on a finite set of open-world knowledge, which obviously does not include what is in your SQL database. And so the approach we use here is Retrieval Augmented Generation, where you can define SQL data as a trusted source. Then, when a user submits a prompt, additional information can be retrieved here from SQL and used to augment the user prompt, which provides the large language model with additional context. And it can reason over this to generate a more informed and accurate response. - And something we should point out here is that any data that you present to the large language model is actually kind of sitting to the side of it and it’s never absorbed into the LLM. - Right, and it plays one of SQL’s strengths, which its granular access controls. As you design apps that use your SQL data for retrieval, these AI, or Copilot-styled experiences, inherit the user’s access permission for data. - Right, so what’s actually needed here though? I mean, I know a lot of people are probably watching right now and they’ve got all the right pieces in place maybe to do generative AI using their SQL backing with ‘like’ clauses and different semantic search. What else do I need? - Well, the first thing you do here is get natural language search to work. I have a sample retail product database here, and I’ll start with how you would normally search using SQL. As you see in the first comment, I want to help my customers find some inexpensive options to remodel their living room. And I had the usual options here like looking for a category, even using the ‘like’ clause and full text search from fields like the description. But when I run that, it’s not very specific because this can include many different things. I could even see an air conditioner, a camera, and even a big brake kit for a car. Those aren’t relevant for a living room remodel. - So just using T-SQL by itself, then, gets us part of the way there, but it’s not enough. - Well, things like ‘like’ clauses can kind of do some basic similarity search, but we can do better with AI. For this, on the back end, we’re going to use Azure AI Search as our search index. Then, the popular index will use the Azure OpenAI embeddings API, which will take the information in the database and generate what’s called a vector embedding. It’s a bit like a GPS coordinate. Then, on the query side, the user’s prompt is also vectorized with an embedding, so ensures both are effectively speaking the same language. From there, the query engine can use the vector data to find similarities between what you’ve queried in your prompt and the data in the database. In this way, you can interact in a descriptive natural language way, you aren’t bound to keywords and the system knows what to pull up looking for similarity matches. In my case, I’ve already created an index with Azure AI Search. Let me show you what’s inside the Fields tab. It’s based on my product data table, and if we scroll through the fields, these are the fields that I’ve assigned to my index based on the field in the table, and you’ll see there’s one very special one that’s called an embedding. I was able to use the Azure OpenAI service to automatically generate these embeddings to represent our data. You can see my vector index here and its size, and here’s the index that I’m building using the product data and the index will stay in sync as the data changes. Now, let me jump into the Indexes area and I’ll show you what’s behind this indexer. Inside settings, you can see what I used to build, this is something called a skillset. Skillsets are services that can be applied to your data to do specific things. This is where we use Azure OpenAI Service to calculate the embeddings. - Okay, so now you’ve got, kind of, the prerequisite foundations in place, your vector index, what’s the next step? - So now that I’ve got the foundation in place for a natural language chat, I can go to Azure OpenAI Studio that lets you pick the large language model you want and bring your own data to ground it, which in our case will be our newly-created index from the Azure AI Search service. Now I’m in Azure OpenAI Studio and I have a model deployed to get basic generative AI running, but it’s not connected my data yet, so it’s only knows what’s in the base training set for the LLM. Now, I can add my own data source. First, I’ll choose the data source: Azure AI Search. Now, I’ll choose the search service we just saw, then, the index for the product data. And because I have the embeddings, I can also use vector search. I’ll select that option and pick my embedding model. Here, I can make some custom field mappings if I’d like, like what is the content part of the index, bringing in the description, then the prices, my branding, package size, category, and so on. Then the title of each document. Each document could be the product name and I also have a product URL field as well. I’ll go ahead and pull that in. Now I have my dataset and there’s actually my vector field that I can use. I’ll hit Next and I’m given choices for search options. I’ll choose the hybrid model, which lets me combine both vectors and keywords during search and that’s it. Now I’ve connected my SQL data to the AI app. - Right, the nice thing is going back to hybrid search, because it also uses keywords, you can search for, say, specific part numbers or text strings, or you can also use natural language to describe what you want. - Right. You can do both. And now with our data source set up, I can use Azure OpenAI’s Studio playground to test generative AI responses over my data. I’ve already started by establishing a system message for how the AI assistant should behave so that it acts and sounds like a shopping agent with a few additional instructions. And now I’m going to try a sample prompt. I’ll ask something similar like I did in SQL. “I’m on a tight budget and I need to find things that make my living room more appealing and easy to install.” And you can see here that using the OpenAI model with our semantic search index, there are more relevant results returned. The formatting’s great, and I can easily see the prices and which items are easy to install. Some of these products may be considered appealing with wall decals and so forth. I can even look at references so I can go click here and get more details. And I can keep going and have a conversation with it where it uses the information from this chat session for context. So I can ask, “Are there any inexpensive furniture options?” And it has the context to know I’m still talking about a living room and maybe I’m looking for sofas or tables, and so it shows me a variety of other inexpensive options to remodel my living room. This is a much richer search experience because I’m using the power of vector search with embeddings against my data, and prompt, combined with the large language model for rich relevant natural language responses. - Right, again, so just to break down kind of what we’re doing here, we’re basically retrieving additional information from SQL and we’re appending that information to the user’s prompt and then presenting the kind of aggregate of both of those things to the large language model. - That’s right, it’s all session based. And again, your data’s never used to train the model. And something unique to SQL: search gets even better when we combine the new native JSON data type in SQL. This lets you use JSON, regular expression search, geospatial in SQL, together with our Azure AI-enabled vector-based semantic search. So it’s a hybrid search. - Okay, so where would something like this then be useful? - Let me show you a real example from Davide Mauri in the SQL team. He’s an Italian who loves good focaccia bread. He wanted to create a solution to find the best focaccia bread in any city across the globe. I realize that this example is very specific, but you can apply to other scenarios. Let’s say we’re going to London and the only data we can go off easily is the star ratings that people enter in mobile review apps. I can write a query for star ratings along with geography for London, and finally, for cuisine with Italian. I can start by using the new regular expression capabilities in SQL to find anywhere with a category of Italian or pizza. And if I do that, while I might be able to find those ratings at a bakery or restaurant level, it can’t go to specific menu items and the query returns irrelevant things like ice cream. Remember, Davide only cares about this one type of bread, and right now we’re already using JSON and geospatial, but what we really need is hybrid search to find the exact review we need. In fact, this is the review that we’re really after: ID 307305, and if I want to see if I can build a SQL query to find it. For that, I can use vectors and embeddings for the prompt to get this review to be the top one. And the good news: I can do all of this inside SQL. I have a stored procedure here and I’m calling the Azure OpenAI service using the REST API inside the engine itself. Now I’m going to send it a prompt, “A place where to get some good fokaccia.” And even if I can’t spell the Italian word right, it knows my intent, then that will convert the prompt to an embedding. Now, we need to compare that embedding with what we have in our customer reviews, which we’ve already converted to embeddings. This is a fairly complex query and I’m using a combination now of the vector-embedding search using the distant function to find cosine similarity. We’ve also got the city equal to London using geospatial with a regular expression plus the highly-rated establishments with enough ratings to be significant. And there’s the JSON for our attribute. And I’ve put it all that together and finally ordered it by distance. Now, I’m going to run that query and try to get the review we want on top. Boom. And sure enough, that very first one was the one I was looking for, Michetta and review ID 307305. - Okay, so this time it worked and now we’ve actually looked at all the different ways you can incorporate Gen AI into your SQL workloads as a developer. But I know that we also have Copilot in Azure lets you use Gen AI to help with everyday SQL tests. - We do. Something unique to SQL is the brand new context-aware Copilot in Azure experience. It reasons over your configuration and telemetry to personalize results. Let me show you a few examples starting with performance troubleshooting. If you spent time doing this work, you’ve probably heard someone say, “My database is slow.” And the diagnostic challenge there is that that’s not very descriptive, but let’s try that with Copilot. Here, Copilot can look at performance information to help me narrow this down fast. It’s found that there’s a high CPU utilization. In fact, there is a max at over 98% and it was 80% for 14 minutes in the past hour. It also narrowed down the single query that caused the problem and gives me more troubleshooting tips. Below, it even suggests additional prompts like how to optimize my query. Let’s try that. So it’s going to diagnose the issue and it finds information specific to that database and query. In this case, it discovers that there is a missing index needed and gives the T-SQL CREATE INDEX command specific to my table to solve the problem. - And it quickly diagnosed and gave you what’s needed effectively to fix the issue. It’s kind of cool. It’s like a little Bob AI, right, built into Azure. - Funny you should say that, I actually helped train it. Beyond troubleshooting, it’s got a great query authoring experience. For example, it’s pretty hard in SQL to traverse hierarchies inside a table. And there’s a way in T-SQL to do this, but it’s not easy to write these queries. Here’s where Copilot can also help. This time, I’ll start in the query editor and I can launch the inline Copilot from here. So I’ll paste in my prompt to find the hierarchy of product categories at any level, and I can choose the tables I want to select. In my case, I’ll keep all 16 of them, and this is sending our schema to the model as context. Now, I’ll generate the query. I can see a nice verbose comment here explaining the logic. So I’ll go ahead and accept it. Then close the inline Copilot to give me a bit more screen real estate. And when I scroll down past the comment, you can see the full curry text uses a recursive CTE or common table expression. It selected the right IDs at the parent level from the right tables. Here’s a union, then the inner join, and the select with the final output fields we want to see ordered by level. Let’s try it out by running it. And those are exactly the results I was looking for, traversing our hierarchy within the table. - And I really love that it’s actually filling in all the variables for you not to kind of paste in yourself. And it’s going to save a lot of people a lot of time. So now, even showing all these different Copilot commands, so one question is: what permissions exactly are being used here? - Everything you just saw is only using the permissions of the signed-in user and all the troubleshooting queries in their context. Copilot doesn’t have any additional access and it can’t grant additional permissions. - Right, these are all really great updates, especially for how you can bring your own SQL data to generative AI apps, and how you can do more intelligent search and even better querying. So what do you recommend for everyone who’s watching right now to get started? - I’d say to learn more. First for building AI apps, you should check out aka.ms/sqlai. And to try the new Copilot experiences, go to aka.ms/sqlcopilot. - Thanks so much for joining us today, Bob. It’s always great to have you on the show. Be sure to subscribe for more updates like this on Microsoft Mechanics and we’ll see you soon. Continue reading...

In this blog series dedicated to Microsoft's technical articles, we'll highlight our MVPs' favorite article along with their personal insights. Tiago Costa, Microsoft Azure MVP, Portugal [ATTACH type=full" alt="Tiago Costa.jpg]64245[/ATTACH] Prompt engineering techniques with Azure OpenAI - Azure OpenAI Service | Microsoft Learn “Since prompt engineering directly improves the efficiency of human-AI interactions, it is essential in today's rapidly evolving technology scene. By creating clear and specific prompts, people may produce more accurate, relevant, high-quality responses from AI systems. This ability is critical to efficiently use AI tools in various fields, including customer service, content development, data analysis, and problem-solving. Prompt engineering is becoming an essential skill as AI grows to permeate daily activities and professional workflows, necessitating excellent communication with these systems." Edward Kuo, Microsoft Azure MVP, Taiwan [ATTACH type=full" alt="Edward Kuo.jpg]64246[/ATTACH] Learn Collection: Data Science and AI (資料科學與AI) | Microsoft Learn “Because data science is the foundation of AI, without data science there would be no AI. Therefore, I want to start from the basics in order to have a better understanding of whether AI should be implemented in the enterprise.” *Relevant Blog: - 初探Phi-3模型，建構企業內SLM服務. 對於一個愛用雲端資源的人來說，Phi-3無疑是替企業內推行AI的解決方案，又多出… | by Edward Kuo | Jun, 2024 | EK.Technology Learn - 企業思考AI前，資料整理是大工程且重要 - EK.Technology Learn (edwardkuo.dev) Hamid Sadeghpour Saleh, Microsoft Azure MVP, Azerbaijan [ATTACH type=full" alt="Hamid Sadeghpour Saleh.jpg]64247[/ATTACH] Microsoft Learn learning rooms drive connection, guidance, and new possibilities - Microsoft Community Hub “At Microsoft Learn, we’re passionate about helping our community build tech skills that can open doors to new possibilities and empower learning through connection. If you follow the Microsoft Learn Community, you may have already heard about the all-new Learning Rooms, and it’s only natural to ask what they are and how they can help you” *Relevant Community: Microsoft Zero to Hero Community Learning Rooms | Microsoft Learn Mohamed Azarudeen Z, AI Platform MVP, India [ATTACH type=full" alt="Mohamed Azarudeen Z.jpg]64248[/ATTACH] AI: Browse all courses, learning paths, and modules - Training | Microsoft Learn "Microsoft Learn is a premier platform offering specialized learning paths and modules focused on artificial intelligence. It provides an extensive range of interactive, self-paced learning experiences, designed to help individuals from all backgrounds master AI technologies and concepts. These AI learning paths cover a wide spectrum of topics, from the basics of machine learning to advanced AI integration within Microsoft's ecosystem. Users can gain practical, hands-on experience with real-world applications, ensuring they are well-equipped to implement AI solutions effectively." Continue reading...

De 1 a 22 de Outubro, prepare-se para certificação GitHub Foundations. Aprenda a automatizar fluxos de trabalho com GitHub Actions, aumentar sua produtividade no desenvolvimento com GitHub Copilot e desenvolver na nuvem com GitHub Codespaces. Descubra como o GitHub Advanced Security pode proteger seus projetos contra ameaças e vulnerabilidades. Além disso, você pode obter um cupom de desconto para uma certificação técnica do GitHub*. INSCREVA-SE AQUI: Event Series | Microsoft Reactor *Oferta válida por 48 horas após uma sessão. Limite de um voucher de desconto do GitHub por pessoa. Esta oferta é intransferível e não pode ser combinada com nenhuma outra oferta. Esta oferta termina 48 horas após uma sessão e não é resgatável por dinheiro. Impostos, se houver, são de responsabilidade exclusiva do destinatário. A Microsoft reserva-se o direito de cancelar, alterar ou suspender esta oferta a qualquer momento sem aviso prévio. [ATTACH type=full" alt="cynthiazanoni_0-1725028873422.png]64244[/ATTACH] A Learn Live: Certificação GitHub Foundations é uma série ao vivo em português, composta por 4 episódios, que oferece o conhecimento e as ferramentas necessárias para você obter sua certificação GitHub e levar seus projetos para o próximo nível. As transmissões serão realizadas das 12:30h às 13:30h (Horário de Brasília). 01 de Outubro: Desenvolvendo projetos colaborativos no GitHub Utilize os recursos de projeto do GitHub para otimizar seu processo de desenvolvimento de software. Nesta sessão, você aprenderá a gerenciar projetos com issues, pull requests e rastreamento de alterações. Vamos explorar a importância dos branches para pull requests e como criar, gerenciar e mesclar pull requests de forma eficiente. 08 de Outubro: Automatização com GitHub Actions Descubra como você pode criar automações poderosas em qualquer projeto de software usando a plataforma do GitHub. Esta sessão abordará GitHub Actions, GitHub Copilot e GitHub Codespaces. 15 de Outubro: Segurança de Projetos no GitHub Descubra como aplicar os recursos de segurança do GitHub Advanced Security aos seus projetos e protegê-los contra ameaças e vulnerabilidades de segurança. 22 de Outubro: Produtividade para Devs com GitHub Copilot Aprenda a utilizar o GitHub Copilot para automatizar tarefas repetitivas e aumentar sua produtividade no desenvolvimento. Vamos explorar desde o uso básico até os novos recursos, como prompts interativos e sugestões em linha, para ajudar você a acelerar seus ciclos de desenvolvimento e escrever código com mais eficiência. INSCREVA-SE AQUI: Event Series | Microsoft Reactor Continue reading...