This weekly livestream series and its associated resources aim to equip AI engineers and decision-makers with the knowledge to navigate the complex and rapidly evolving generative AI model ecosystem. By offering curated roundups, in-depth spotlights, and practical guidance, Model Mondays helps users build their "model IQ," enabling informed choices for model selection, customization, and the development of trustworthy AI solutions.

How It Works

Model Mondays operates through a structured weekly format, featuring a primary livestream every Monday at 1:30 pm EST covering news, tech spotlights, and customer stories. This is complemented by "Foundry Friday AMA" sessions, offering demos and Q&A with subject matter experts. The series guides participants from initial awareness through to practical adoption of AI models, covering fundamentals, selection criteria, customization techniques, and the implementation of end-to-end observability for trustworthy AI. A "Models For Beginners" curriculum is planned for release in 2026.

Quick Start & Requirements

This project is an informational series, not a software repository requiring installation. To engage, users are encouraged to:

• Join the Azure AI Developer Community Discord for real-time updates and discussions.
• Register for the weekly livestreams to receive schedule updates and reminders. No specific technical prerequisites are mentioned for consuming the content, beyond an interest in generative AI models.

Highlighted Details

• Season 3 (Dec 2025 - Apr 2026) centers on Microsoft Foundry, featuring product group leads and subject matter experts discussing the platform's unified tech stack.
• "Partner Spotlights" showcase key model families and feature speakers from industry partners, with an early 2026 spotlight on Anthropic's Claude within Microsoft Foundry.
• A "This Week In Hugging Face" segment, launching Feb 2026, will highlight trending open-source models from Hugging Face, providing insights into their notable characteristics.
• Future plans include a "Models For Beginners" curriculum designed for skilling in model fundamentals and selection.

Maintenance & Community

The project is part of the Azure AI Developer Community, with active engagement channels including Discord for real-time chats and events, and a Forum for AMA recaps and Q&A. The series is produced by Microsoft, with content drawing from Microsoft Foundry, M365 Advocacy, and industry partners.

Licensing & Compatibility

No explicit open-source license is stated for the content of the Model Mondays series. As a Microsoft-produced series, the content is likely copyrighted by Microsoft. Compatibility for commercial use or closed-source linking is not applicable as it is an informational resource.

Limitations & Caveats

The primary mode of content delivery is scheduled livestreams and AMAs, requiring users to attend live or review recordings. The "Models For Beginners" curriculum is slated for a 2026 release, indicating it is not yet available. The series' strong focus on Microsoft Foundry may present a learning curve or reduced relevance for users operating outside the Microsoft ecosystem.