Dynamics Decoded

We all know Azure AI Foundry is platform where you can use any model to build your agent and I love the concept of bring all the models together. AI development just got easier and more powerful. Whether you’re building a custom copilot, enhancing existing apps, or experimenting with the latest AI innovations—Azure AI Foundry Models is your launchpad.

Why I’m Excited About Azure AI Foundry

Microsoft is bringing it all together in one place: a rich, curated catalog of models from trusted names like Microsoft, OpenAI, Hugging Face, Meta, DeepSeek, and more. With over 1900+ models across different domains and capabilities, you’ve got everything you need to build intelligent, scalable solutions.

What You Can Do with Foundry Models:

• Explore cutting-edge models (foundation, small, multimodal, domain-specific, industry-focused).
• Evaluate models side-by-side using real-world tasks and your own data.
• Deploy with built-in tools for fine-tuning, observability, and responsible AI.
• Choose your model path – use a hosted model, bring your own, or integrate directly into Azure services.

Two Types of Models

1. Models Sold Directly by Azure

These models are hosted by Microsoft under Microsoft Product Terms. Think of them as enterprise-ready, fully integrated, and backed by Microsoft support.

• Enterprise-grade SLAs and support
• Optimized for Azure performance
• Deep integration with Azure services
• Governed by Microsoft’s Responsible AI standards
• Support for fungible Provisioned Throughput (PT)

2. Models from Partners & Community

A vast collection from open communities and partners—perfect for specialized or fast-evolving needs.

• Includes Hugging Face models and other third-party contributions
• Rapid access to innovation and niche use cases
• Flexible deployment via managed compute or serverless APIs
• Support provided by respective model creators

Need a Model That’s Missing?

Just search for it in the Foundry portal. If it’s not listed, use the “Request a model” feature to suggest its addition. Quick, simple, and community-driven.

How to Choose Between Model Types

• Go with Azure-hosted models for deep Azure integration, SLAs, and mission-critical use cases.
• Opt for Partner & Community models when you need specialized capabilities or want to experiment at speed.

Do quick search with name from hundreds of models

If you’re diving into AI or looking to scale existing solutions responsibly and securely, Azure AI Foundry is worth exploring. It’s like an app store for AI, but built for developers, data scientists, and architects who want to move fast without breaking things.

I’d love to hear what models or use cases you’re exploring in Foundry—let’s share ideas!