Learning has never been more important for data and AI professionals. As AI rapidly shapes how organizations build, analyze and act on data, staying current is no longer optional; it’s essential for both career growth and business success.
Data professionals have always worked in a fast-moving field, but the pace today is fundamentally different. Every day, the world generates roughly 400 million terabytes of data, and nearly 90% of the world’s data has been created in just the last two years.
This shift is also changing how data professionals work across platforms like Microsoft Fabric, Azure Databases, and SQL-based applications, where analytics, operational data, and AI development are increasingly connected.
For data engineers, analysts, and developers working across these environments, AI is rapidly reshaping how work gets done. Microsoft’s Work Trend Index finds that 75% of knowledge workers are already using AI at work, with many adopting it in just the last six months. This shift is not incremental; it is redefining how people build, analyze, and make decisions with data.
The opportunity is clear. Organizations that combine AI adoption with workforce readiness are already seeing measurable returns. Recent research shows businesses reporting multiple-fold returns on AI investments, reinforcing that value comes not just from deploying technology, but from enabling people to use it effectively.
Why skilling matters more than ever
Across industries, leaders are investing heavily in data platforms and AI capabilities. But technology alone isn’t enough. Research consistently shows that organizations that pair AI investments with structured workforce skilling are far more likely to see real returns on those investments.
We see this firsthand at Microsoft. Demand for data and AI learning continues to grow across engineers, analysts, developers, and AI practitioners. When people are given the time, tools, and community to build new skills, adoption accelerates and innovation follows.
That’s why Microsoft continues investing in accessible, community-driven skilling opportunities designed to help professionals build practical data and AI skills faster.
In practice, that means building skills that go beyond a single tool; learning how to unify data in Fabric, work with operational data in Azure Databases, and developing AI-powered applications using SQL. These are the capabilities that enable teams to move from experimentation to real business impact.
Data Days is back and bigger than ever
Back for its second year, Data Days is a global, community-driven virtual skilling event designed to help you build practical skills across the Microsoft data and AI platform—bringing together learning paths that span Fabric, Azure Databases, and SQL-based AI development. It brings together training, certification prep, contests, and self-paced learning across data engineering, analytics, and AI, making it relevant whether you work in Fabric, build on Azure, or develop AI apps.
Running June 15 through August 7, 2026, Data Days is designed specifically for those who want to grow their skills and advance their careers in data and AI.
Data Days is not limited to Microsoft Fabric alone. It brings together learning across data engineering, analytics, and AI, making it relevant whether you work primarily in Fabric, Power BI, Azure SQL, or modern AI-enabled data workloads. You can participate live, learn on demand, or focus on specific certifications or topics that matter most to you.
Together, these learning paths reflect how modern teams build a unified, governed data and AI estate across data, analytics, operational data, and AI development.
What to expect
Whether you’re building expertise in a specific area, or exploring new roles and technologies, this year’s Data Days offers a flexible mix of learning, certification support, and community-led experiences designed to help you grow.
- Certification skilling and exam prep
- Get guidance to help you decide which certification aligns best with your role and goals. Live and on-demand sessions will help you prepare for key Microsoft data certifications, including:
- Microsoft Certified: Power BI Data Analyst Associate (PL-300)
- Microsoft Certified: Microsoft Fabric Analytics Engineer Associate (DP-600)
- Microsoft Certified: Microsoft Fabric Data Engineer Associate (DP-700)
- Microsoft Certified: SQL AI Developer Associate (DP-800)
- Get guidance to help you decide which certification aligns best with your role and goals. Live and on-demand sessions will help you prepare for key Microsoft data certifications, including:
- Certification exam vouchers
- A limited number of 100%-off exam vouchers will be available for DP-600, DP-700, and DP-800, while supplies last.
- Study groups led by the community
- Local and virtual study groups, hosted by user groups around the world, will provide structure, accountability, and peer support as you prepare for exams.
- Self-paced learning options
- For those who prefer flexibility, Data Days will include self-paced learning opportunities on Microsoft Learn—the goal is simple: make it easy to learn on your schedule.
- Community sessions
- Join expert-led sessions designed to help you connect with the Microsoft Fabric and data community, share best practices, and grow your technical impact.
- Dataviz World Championships
- Experience the kickoff of the Power BI Dataviz World Championships and other global challenges that highlight creativity, technical skills, and innovation across the data and AI community.
Invest in your future
As AI continues to reshape how organizations work with data, the professionals who keep learning and adapting will be the ones leading what comes next. Data Days is designed to help you build practical skills, connect with the broader data community, and grow your expertise across Microsoft’s data and AI platform.
Whether you’re preparing for a certification, exploring new technologies, or looking to deepen your technical skills, Data Days offers hands-on learning, expert guidance, and community-driven experiences to help you move forward with confidence.
I hope you’ll join us to be part of the future of data and AI.
Register for Data Days today! The event runs June 15 through August 7. Sign up to access live training, certification prep, community challenges, and a limited number of free certification exam vouchers while supplies last.
Invest in your future with Data Days
Upskill across data, analytics, and AI with expert-led sessions, certification pathways, and flexible learning options.
