AI-900 Is Retiring in 2026: Which AI Course in South Africa Comes Next?
If AI-900 is on your CV, its retirement on 30 June 2026 is a decision point, not just a deadline. Choosing the right AI course in South Africa now will determine whether your next credential opens doors or simply adds another CV entry. It’s reassuring that Microsoft says Fundamentals certifications don’t expire, so your existing credential stands. Check the Microsoft course options before paying for another exam.
AI Course in South Africa: What Has Replaced AI-900?
AI-901 has now become the exam for Azure AI Fundamentals. While the credential’s name is unchanged, the course content is not. About 40 to 45% covers AI concepts, while 55 to 60% focuses on implementing solutions in Microsoft Foundry, from a lightweight chat client to a simple single-agent solution.
Where AI-900 was often treated as a non-technical option, AI-901 requires candidates to build small things. AI-102 was also retired and replaced by AI-103 for developers building Azure AI apps and agents.
Choosing an AI Course in South Africa Based on Career Direction
Choose AI certifications based on the decisions you make at work, not just by the letters “AI” in a course title.
| Career Direction | Suggested Route | What it Covers |
|---|---|---|
| Data and engineering | AI-103 or AI-300 | Building AI apps and agents, or running models through MLOps and GenAIOps |
| Security | SC-500 | Protecting cloud, hybrid and AI workloads |
| Business and productivity | AI-901, then AB-730 | Using Microsoft 365 Copilot and agents at work, without code |
| Automation & Copilot | AB-410, AB-620 or AB-900 | Power Platform solutions, Copilot Studio agents or Copilot administration |
Build one small project for your target role, but compare it with live job adverts before booking an exam.
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Prerequisites and Realistic Timelines
AI-901 requires basic Python and some familiarity with Azure resources. A four-week plan suits many candidates: concepts and responsible AI in week one, Foundry and prompts in week two, guided Python builds in week three, and revision against the official objectives in week four.
Role-based exams ask for more. AI-103, for example, expects experience developing apps in Python, so budget a couple of months of structured study alongside work.
Whether that’s self-paced modules or an AI course in South Africa with a certified IT training academy, treat these timelines as guides; your background will determine the pace.
How Employers Value an AI Course in South Africa
Pnet’s August 2025 report found that demand for AI expertise in advertised roles rose 77% year on year between the first halves of 2024 and 2025. Demand for AI-skilled roles, such as marketers and content creators using AI tools, has grown faster than demand for specialist roles. Gauteng accounts for 58% of advertised AI roles and the Western Cape 24%.
Employers increasingly treat role-based Microsoft AI certifications as proof you can work with production cloud AI. An AI certificate alone will not carry you, so pair it with a small portfolio project.
Ready to Choose Your Path?
Whether you hold AI-900 or are starting fresh, a well-chosen artificial intelligence course turns an exam code into a career move. Look for an AI course in South Africa that offers structured training, practice tests and local Pearson VUE testing under one roof.
To turn your AI-901 foundation into a qualification that suits your role, explore our AI certification programmes.