Microsoft’s AI Skills Fest: A World Record Attempt with Free AI Training
I know you’ve heard of gamification, but have you ever heard of festification? That’s what Microsoft will be doing in April and May, with the Microsoft AI Skills Fest. It’s a little odd, but it also looks like it might be a heck of a lot of fun.
Going for a Guinness World Record
Microsoft is serious about this, too. It involved the actual Guinness World Records organization in its plans. As it turns out, you can get a world record for almost anything. Sure, you can get a world record for the most spoons balanced on a body, the fastest 100-meter sprint on all fours, being the world’s tallest man, and having the most apples held in your own mouth and cut by a chainsaw.
Free AI Training for Everyone
Microsoft’s attempt to win bragging rights benefits you and me because we get some free AI training out of the deal. The multi-level quest involves sequential stages, ranging from an introduction to AI, core concepts like machine learning, computer vision, and natural language processing, to practical tools (Azure and Copilot, ‘natch), and building some apps on your own.
Lessons and Courses
Lessons are available in multiple languages, including Albanian, Arabic, Brazilian Portuguese, Bulgarian, Catalan, Chinese, Croatian, Czech, Danish, Dutch, English, Estonian, Finnish, French, German, Global, Greek, Hebrew, Hindi, Indonesian, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Macedonian, Mandarin Chinese, Norwegian, Polish, Portuguese, Romanian, Russian, Serbian, Simplified Chinese, Slovenian, Spanish, Swedish, Thai, Turkish, Ukrainian, and Vietnamese.
Prizes, Discounts, and Participation Awards
If you don’t want to pay for certifications, you may be in luck. If you enter the Microsoft AI Skills Fest Challenge Sweepstakes, you may be able to win one of 50,000 free certification vouchers awarded during weekly drawings. GitHub is offering a 50% discount code for GitHub’s newest certification exam, GitHub Copilot.
The Challenge
If you register and complete a training within the 24-hour period of the Guinness World Record challenge on April 7-8, 2025, you will receive a participation badge. Yes, you too could be tangentially awesome, you Guinness World Record holder enabler participant, you!
Register Now
I’m going to do it. I registered at the Microsoft AI Skills Fest registration page. I told them I’m over 18 (if not emotionally, at least physically). I checked the statement that made it all seem oh-so-real: "If I participate in the Al Skills Fest Event world record attempt, I hereby authorize Microsoft to act as my representative and to enter into the applicable agreement with Guinness World Records on my behalf and I acknowledge that I have reviewed the applicable terms of the Guinness World Records Terms and Conditions."
Conclusion
Microsoft’s AI Skills Fest is a unique opportunity to learn about AI and potentially help the company win a Guinness World Record. The free training and courses are available in multiple languages, and there are even prizes and discounts to be won. So, what are you waiting for? Register now and join the AI Skills Fest!
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the Microsoft AI Skills Fest?
A: The Microsoft AI Skills Fest is a free online training event that offers a series of AI courses and challenges, with the goal of setting a Guinness World Record for the most users to complete an online multi-level AI lesson in 24 hours.
Q: What kind of courses are available?
A: The courses cover a range of AI topics, from introductory concepts to practical tools and applications.
Q: Are the courses available in multiple languages?
A: Yes, the courses are available in multiple languages, including Albanian, Arabic, Brazilian Portuguese, Bulgarian, Catalan, Chinese, Croatian, Czech, Danish, Dutch, English, Estonian, Finnish, French, German, Global, Greek, Hebrew, Hindi, Indonesian, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Macedonian, Mandarin Chinese, Norwegian, Polish, Portuguese, Romanian, Russian, Serbian, Simplified Chinese, Slovenian, Spanish, Swedish, Thai, Turkish, Ukrainian, and Vietnamese.
Q: What kind of prizes and discounts are available?
A: There are 50,000 free certification vouchers available through the Microsoft AI Skills Fest Challenge Sweepstakes, and a 50% discount code for GitHub’s newest certification exam, GitHub Copilot.
Q: What is the Guinness World Record attempt?
A: The Guinness World Record attempt is for the most users to complete an online multi-level AI lesson in 24 hours. To participate, users must register and complete a training within the 24-hour period on April 7-8, 2025.
