Microsoft Credentials AI Challenge

Prove your AI skills. Power your career.

Want to level up your career with real AI Skills?

Join the Microsoft Credentials AI Challenge from January 20 to March 2, 2026, and explore real-world AI learning that’s fast, practical, and impactful. Complete the Challenge, earn a Microsoft Applied Skills credential, and get a chance to win 50% off a Microsoft Certification exam. It’s your opportunity to sharpen your skills, stand out, and take the next step forward. Let’s go!

Microsoft Credentials: Two paths to prove your skills

AI is changing every job—from marketing to IT—and proving your skills matters more than ever. A survey from Resume Genius found that 81% of hiring managers prioritize AI skills.1 That’s where Microsoft Credentials come in, bridging the gap for both technical and business audiences.

  • Microsoft Applied Skills are fast, scenario-based micro-credentials that prove your ability to complete specific job tasks through interactive lab-based assessments—focused on a single skill set, practical, and help prepare for role-based certifications.
  • Microsoft Certifications validate comprehensive skill sets for specific roles, proving end-to-end expertise and carrying recognition across the industry.

Together, these credentials give you a trusted way to prove your AI skills and power up your career. Explore Microsoft Credentials.

1 AI Impact on Hiring Survey: How Recruitment is Evolving

How it works

  • Register for a Challenge

    Register for one of six curated Challenges designed to sharpen your AI skills as you prepare to earn Applied Skills and Certifications, competing with learners from around the globe.

    Learn more

  • Earn Applied Skills

    Get recognized with new, AI-focused Applied Skills by passing a free, interactive lab-based assessment and qualify to enter the Microsoft Certification AI Challenge Sweepstakes.

    Learn more

  • Enter the Certification Sweepstakes

    Continue your journey to earn Certification. Enter the Challenge Sweepstakes2 for a chance to win 50% off a new Certification exam.

    Learn more

Register for a Challenge

To start the Challenge that’s right for you, choose your learning goal and role and select ‘Register for the Challenge’.

Applied Skills Challenges

  • Applied Skills Challenge: Transform your organization

    Build skills to unlock productivity and unleash creativity with AI powered chat as you prepare to earn Microsoft Applied Skills: Streamline business workflows with AI chat, and take your first towards earning Microsoft Certified: AI Transformation Leader (Exam AB-731). For business leaders and business professionals.

    Register for the Challenge See the Applied Skills credential

  • Applied Skills Challenge: Reimagine everyday business processes with agents

    Discover and develop skills to enhance your productivity and generate business reports with prebuilt AI agents in Microsoft 365 Copilot as you prepare to earn Microsoft Applied Skills: Generate reports with AI research agents, and take your first steps towards earning Microsoft Certified: AI Business Professional (Exam AB-730). For business professionals and IT professionals.

    Register for the Challenge See the Applied Skills credential

  • Applied Skills Challenge: Create custom agents

    Get started creating agents with Microsoft Copilot Studio addressing real-world business scenarios as you prepare to earn Microsoft Applied Skills: Create agents in Microsoft Copilot Studio. For developers.

    Register for the Challenge See the Applied Skills credential

Certification Challenges

  • Certification Challenge: Transform your organization

    Explore practical strategies and sharpen skills to lead AI transformation across your organization - Identify high-impact AI opportunities, align investments with business goals, and champion responsible AI practices, as you prepare to earn Microsoft Certified: AI Transformation Leader (Exam AB-731). For business leaders.

    Register for the Challenge See the Certification

  • Certification Challenge: Reimagine business outcomes

    Discover and build skills to apply generative AI to streamline daily tasks, enhance decision-making, and drive meaningful business outcomes with Microsoft 365 Copilot, as you prepare to earn Microsoft Certified: AI Business Professional (Exam AB-730). For business leaders.

    Register for the Challenge See the Certification

  • Certification Challenge: Enable and manage AI at your workplace

    Explore and build skills to use Microsoft 365 Copilot and agents to automate tasks, enhance collaboration, and personalize user experiences across the Microsoft 365 suite, as you prepare to earn Microsoft 365 Certified: Microsoft 365 Copilot and Agent Administration Fundamentals (Exam AB-900). For IT professionals.

    Register for the Challenge See the Certification

Microsoft Credentials AI Challenge Sweepstakes2

Complete the following steps for your chance to be one of the 5,000 winners to win a voucher for 50% off one of three new Microsoft Certification exams:

  1. Enter one of six Microsoft Credentials AI Challenges
  2. Earn one of three new, free, AI-focused Microsoft Applied Skills between January 20 and March 2, 2026.
  3. Enter the sweepstakes by March 2, 2026, for a chance to win 50% off a new certification exam.
    Certification vouchers apply to:

2 Terms apply. No purchase necessary. Open to all persons 18+. Sweepstakes ends March 2, 2026. For full details, see official rules.

Redemption period

These Certifications are currently in beta and will be released in general availability (GA) in late January, 2026. Winners should wait to redeem the voucher until the Certifications are released in GA.

Vouchers must be redeemed and Certification exams taken by June 30, 2026. For more details, consult the Microsoft Credentials AI Challenge official rules.

How to receive a voucher code

If you’re a sweepstakes winner, we’ll send your voucher code within seven days of the sweepstakes drawing to the email address provided in your sweepstakes entry.