AI-Powered Learning: Transforming Microsoft Learn with Intelligent Assistance
Session Date: May 2025 (Build 2025 Conference)
Duration: 10m 55s
Venue: Build 2025 Conference - DEM581
Speakers: Derek Peterson (Principal PM Manager, Microsoft Learn), Ryan Currie (Principal PM Manager, Microsoft Learn)
Link: Microsoft Build 2025 Session DEM581
Table of Contents
Introduction: The Challenge of Keeping Up
Current State of Developer Learning
00:00:00 - 00:01:00 (1m 0s)
Speakers: Derek Peterson
Derek Peterson opens the session by addressing a fundamental challenge facing developers today: the overwhelming pace of technological change.
Through an interactive show of hands, he demonstrates that most attendees struggle to keep up with the rapid rate of innovation being introduced, particularly the numerous announcements made during Build 2025 week alone.
The introduction of AI into development tools is positioned as a solution to help developers catch up faster and maintain their building momentum.
Peterson emphasizes that AI fluency has become one of the fastest-growing skills, affecting not just technical roles but non-technical positions as well.
AI Fluency as a Growing Skill
00:01:00 - 00:01:30 (30s)
Speakers: Derek Peterson
Peterson presents compelling statistics showing that approximately 73% of U.S. companies report that AI is powering their growth activities.
The remaining 27% face challenges primarily due to organizational and individual readiness for AI adoption.
This data underscores the critical importance of AI education and training in today’s business landscape.
Microsoft Learn Evolution
Historical Learning Resources
00:01:30 - 00:02:00 (30s)
Speakers: Derek Peterson
Microsoft Learn has traditionally provided comprehensive learning resources including documentation, Q&A platforms, training modules, and educational shows.
However, these resources often require significant upfront work that interrupts the developer’s workflow, forcing them to search across multiple websites for answers to their questions.
Developer Pain Points
00:02:00 - 00:02:45 (45s)
Speakers: Derek Peterson
Peterson outlines key developer frustrations with traditional learning approaches:
- Streamlined Troubleshooting: Developers want more efficient problem-solving processes
- Flow State Preservation: The need to stay in their development workflow without bouncing between multiple resources
- Personalization: Experiences tailored to individual knowledge levels and learning gaps
- Contextual Integration: Learning that incorporates organizational context, existing subscriptions, and previously built solutions
- Reduced Documentation Time: Paradoxically, developers want less time in documentation while still accessing comprehensive knowledge
Ask Learn Chat: Documentation Assistant
### Azure Copilot Foundation
00:02:45 - 00:03:30 (45s)
Speakers: Derek Peterson 
The Ask Learn initiative builds upon the foundation established by Azure Copilot, launched in October 2023.
The underlying system leverages Microsoft Learn’s extensive knowledge base, incorporating documentation, training materials, and Q&A content to provide comprehensive answers to developer questions.
Extended Coverage and Capabilities
00:03:30 - 00:04:30 (1m 0s)
Speakers: Derek Peterson
The evolution of Ask Learn shows progressive expansion:
- November 2024: Introduction of Ask Learn chat on Microsoft Learn training platforms
- Current State: Extension to all Azure documentation
- Near Future: Planned extension to all Microsoft Learn documentation post-Build 2025
The system’s strength lies in handling complex, multi-faceted questions that would traditionally require consulting multiple documentation sources. Instead of bouncing between different docs, users can ask sophisticated questions and receive comprehensive, contextualized answers.
Ask Learn Tutor: VS Code Extension
Socratic Reasoning Method
00:04:30 - 00:04:50 (20s)
Speakers: Derek Peterson
Peterson introduces the Ask Learn Tutor as a private preview VS Code extension that employs Socratic reasoning methodology. This approach allows learners to express their learning goals, and the system responds by building appropriate learning objectives and curriculum structure automatically.
Hands-on Learning Experience
00:04:50 - 00:05:00 (10s)
Speakers: Derek Peterson
The VS Code extension enables immediate hands-on engagement with learning content, eliminating the traditional gap between theoretical learning and practical application.
Live Demonstrations
Ask Learn Chat Demo
00:05:00 - 00:06:00 (1m 0s)
Speakers: Ryan Currie
Ryan Currie demonstrates the Ask Learn chat functionality using Azure App Service documentation as an example. The demo showcases:
- Page Summarization: The ability to break down complex documentation into digestible overviews
- Cross-Technology Comparison: Intelligent comparison between Azure services (App Service vs. Azure Functions vs. AKS) with personalized recommendations
- Contextual Understanding: The system’s capability to provide targeted information based on specific use cases
VS Code Extension Demo
00:06:00 - 00:08:20 (2m 20s)
Speakers: Ryan Currie
The VS Code extension demonstration focuses on AI Foundry model selection, illustrating:
- Socratic Questioning: The system asks clarifying questions to understand user needs and knowledge level
- Prerequisite Assessment: Intelligent evaluation of user’s existing knowledge before diving into complex topics
- Interactive Learning Path: Guided progression through increasingly sophisticated concepts
- Contextual Memory: The extension maintains conversation context across different documentation pages
AI-Powered Learning Plans
00:08:20 - 00:09:50 (1m 30s)
Speakers: Ryan Currie
Currie demonstrates the AI-powered learning plan creation feature, which offers four distinct tracks:
- Career Growth: Professional development-focused learning paths
- Project-Specific: Targeted learning for specific technical implementations
- Personalized Outcomes: Learning objectives tailored to individual goals
- Team Management: Sharing and tracking capabilities for managers overseeing team development
The demo shows how learning plans include specific outcomes, relevant learning paths, and progress tracking mechanisms for both individuals and teams.
Future Vision and Rollout
Expansion Plans
00:09:50 - 00:10:30 (40s)
Speakers: Ryan Currie
The roadmap includes extending Ask Learn chat to approximately 80% of all Microsoft Learn pages, encompassing thousands of documentation articles. This expansion will significantly broaden the coverage and utility of AI-assisted learning across Microsoft’s technology stack.
Feedback and Iteration
00:10:30 - 00:10:55 (25s)
Speakers: Ryan Currie
Currie emphasizes the importance of user feedback in the current era of AI tool development. The team encourages active trial usage and continuous feedback to iterate and improve the AI learning assistance capabilities. The session concludes with information about joining the VS Code extension waiting list for early access.
References
Microsoft Learn Platform
URL: https://docs.microsoft.com/learn
Relevance: This is the primary platform being enhanced with AI capabilities discussed in the session. Understanding the existing Microsoft Learn ecosystem is crucial for appreciating the improvements and new features being introduced.
Azure Copilot Documentation
URL: https://docs.microsoft.com/azure/copilot
Relevance: Azure Copilot serves as the foundational technology underlying the Ask Learn chat functionality. This reference provides technical details about the AI assistant that powers the knowledge base integration described in the session.
Socratic Method in Education
URL: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Socratic_method
Relevance: The Ask Learn Tutor VS Code extension employs Socratic reasoning methodology. Understanding this educational approach helps explain why the system asks clarifying questions and builds learning objectives progressively rather than providing direct answers.
AI Skills Gap Research
URL: https://www.microsoft.com/worklab
Relevance: The session references statistics about AI adoption in companies and the growing importance of AI fluency. Microsoft’s Work Lab research provides broader context for the organizational challenges and opportunities discussed.
VS Code Extension Development
URL: https://code.visualstudio.com/api
Relevance: The Ask Learn Tutor is implemented as a VS Code extension. This reference provides technical context for developers interested in understanding how such educational AI tools can be integrated into development environments.
Microsoft Build 2025 Conference
URL: https://mybuild.microsoft.com
Relevance: This session was part of Microsoft Build 2025, where numerous AI and development tool announcements were made. The conference context helps explain the timing and strategic importance of these AI-powered learning initiatives.
Azure App Service Documentation
URL: https://docs.microsoft.com/azure/app-service
Relevance: Used as a demonstration example in the session, this documentation showcases how Ask Learn chat can summarize and provide contextual assistance for complex Azure services.
Learning Path Methodology
URL: https://docs.microsoft.com/learn/paths
Relevance: The AI-powered learning plans build upon Microsoft Learn’s existing learning path structure. Understanding this methodology helps appreciate how AI enhances rather than replaces traditional educational sequencing.