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microsoft/generative-ai-for-beginners

A Microsoft course of 21 lessons on building Generative AI apps, with Python and TypeScript samples, videos and extra learning links for each lesson.

  • 121k GitHub stars
  • Jupyter Notebook
  • ⚖️ MIT
  • 🎯 Beginner
View on GitHub (opens in a new tab) Setup guide
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What it is

Generative AI for Beginners (Version 3) is a 21-lesson course by Microsoft Cloud Advocates on the fundamentals of building Generative AI applications. Lessons are labeled "Learn" (concepts) or "Build" (concepts plus code examples in Python and TypeScript where possible). Each lesson can be taken independently, so learners can start anywhere.

Who it's for

  • Developers new to building Generative AI applications
  • Learners with basic Python or TypeScript knowledge
  • Startups building with Azure credits (the README points to Microsoft for Startups)

Requirements

Requirements

  • Access to one of: Azure OpenAI Service, Microsoft Foundry Models, OpenAI API, or Foundry Local (runs models offline on your own device, no cloud subscription required)
  • Basic knowledge of Python or TypeScript is helpful
  • A GitHub account to fork the repo
  • Note: GitHub Models is retiring at the end of July 2026; use Microsoft Foundry Models instead

Setup

  1. Clone without translations (Bash / macOS / Linux)

    The repo includes 50+ language translations, which increases download size. Use sparse checkout to skip them.

    bash
    git clone --filter=blob:none --sparse https://github.com/microsoft/generative-ai-for-beginners.git
cd generative-ai-for-beginners
git sparse-checkout set --no-cone '/*' '!translations' '!translated_images'

  2. Clone without translations (Windows CMD)

    The same sparse checkout, using CMD quoting.

    cmd
    git clone --filter=blob:none --sparse https://github.com/microsoft/generative-ai-for-beginners.git
cd generative-ai-for-beginners
git sparse-checkout set --no-cone "/*" "!translations" "!translated_images"

  3. Follow the Course Setup lesson

    Lesson 00 (Course Setup) covers setting up your development environment. It is located at ./00-course-setup/README.md.

Pros & cons

Pros

  • Pro:Modular: each lesson covers its own topic, so you can start anywhere
  • Pro:Build lessons give code examples in both Python and TypeScript when possible
  • Pro:Each lesson has a short video introduction, a written README and links to extra learning resources
  • Pro:Supports several backends (Azure OpenAI, Microsoft Foundry Models, OpenAI API, Foundry Local), including fully offline use

Cons

  • Con:Lessons 00, 19, 20 and 21 list "Video Coming Soon" instead of a video
  • Con:Lessons labeled "Learn" are conceptual and not described as having code samples
  • Con:Basic Python or TypeScript knowledge is recommended, and a GitHub model backend is being retired by end of July 2026

Images

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microsoft/generative-ai-for-beginners preview image · microsoft/generative-ai-for-beginners on GitHub · MIT
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