5 Highlights Thursday | 6th Feb 2025

Wow time passes so fast and we are already in Feb. Nevertheless here is another dose of 5 Highlights Thursday. Where I cover list of Azure/Development/AI information and links that you may find helpful in your Azure journey. Feel free to forward this along to anyone who you think may enjoy such sharing.

1. DeepSeek R1 is now available on Azure AI Foundry and GitHub

DeepSeek R1 is now available in the model catalog on Azure AI Foundry and GitHub, joining a diverse portfolio of over 1,800 models, including frontier, open-source, industry-specific, and task-based AI models

2. GitHub Copilot Bootcamp

Join the GitHub Copilot Bootcamp to deep-dive into the tools and skills you need to supercharge your development productivity and with #GitHub #Copilot. This is a 4-part live series happening February 4–13.

3. Getting started with AI Agents

Azure AI Agent Service lets you build software that will work to achieve a specified goal without you knowing exactly what steps it will take. Join this session to learn how you can automate tasks that were previously too complex to be easily automated. #AiAgents #AI

4. Five things to know about SQL and AI | Data Exposed

Join us as we explore five essential aspects of SQL and AI. Discover how SQL integrates with Azure AI Search, along with the introduction of new built-in vector functions and types. We'll highlight advanced security measures to protect your data and showcase how copilots and seamless integrations enhance workflows and empower developers.

5. New AKS Security Dashboard in Defender for Cloud

In this episode of Defender for Cloud in the Field, Inbal Beitler joins Yuri Diogenes to talk about the new AKS Security Dashboard in Defender CSPM and Defender for Containers. Inbal explains the different use case scenarios and how this new dashboard can be used to obtain more AKS insights. Inbal also demonstrates the use of the AKS Security Dashboard and explains the different capabilities available.

You can complement this edition of 5 Highlights Thursday with our MEA Developer Channel on YouTube where we have weekly interviews and learning material on Microsoft Azure, and much more.

And, as always, please give me feedback on LinkedIn. Which bullet above is your favorite? What do you want more or less of? Other suggestions? Please let me know.

Last by not least, know someone who might be interested in this newsletter? Share it with them.

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Have a wonderful Thursday :)

Taswar