Introducing Budget Bytes: Build powerful AI apps for under $25
When developers think of “cloud” and “AI,” the first question that often pops up is about expense. “How much will it cost to learn this? Can I create something worthwhile without facing unexpected charges?”
Budget Bytes is a fresh video series aimed at encouraging developers to create quality AI applications on Azure while sticking to a budget of $25 or less. Yes, that’s right—just twenty-five dollars!
What is Budget Bytes?
Budget Bytes is an engaging video series where developers explore complete scenarios right from the ground up. What sets it apart is:
- Transparent costs – At the end of each episode, we reveal the exact expenses incurred during the build and operation.
- Genuine development – You’ll see the developers’ actual journeys, complete with errors and debugging sessions (because that’s how it goes in real life).
- Useful patterns – Discover new tools, APIs, design patterns, and methodologies you can immediately start using.
- Replicable examples – After each demonstration, you’ll find a GitHub repository where you can deploy the apps for yourself!
This season focuses on the Azure SQL Database Free Offer, showcasing how to harness high-quality database features without the hefty price tag.
What You’ll Learn
Every episode is filled with practical insights:
- New tools and technologies – Explore innovations like Microsoft Foundry, Copilot Studio, and Model Context Protocol.
- Real-world design approaches – Learn how seasoned developers construct cost-efficient solutions.
- Hands-on implementation – You can deploy every solution to your Azure subscription.
- Ongoing learning – Each episode links to Microsoft Learn for further exploration.
- New to Azure SQL? – Start by engaging with real-world applications in each episode, and get inspired to make your ideas come to life!
The Season Lineup
| Episode | Date | Topic | Speaker(s) | What You’ll Build |
| 1 | January 29th, 2026 | Microsoft Foundry | Jasmine Greenaway | AI Inventory Manager for free |
| 2 | February 12th, 2026 | AI-driven insurance scenarios | Arvind Shyamsundar & Amar Patil | Insurance AI Application |
| 3 | February 26th, 2026 | Agentic RAG for everyone | Davide Mauri | Model Context Protocol with .NET |
| 4 | March 12th, 2026 | Copilot Studio Integration | Bob Ward | AI Agents using your data via Copilot Studio for $10/month |
| 5 | March 29th, 2026 | Fireside Chat Wrap-Up | Priya Sathy & Guests | Series recap and key insights |
Tune in
Check out the trailer here: Build Powerful AI Apps for under $25!
New episodes come out regularly, each featuring:
- An in-depth video tutorial
- A companion blog post providing additional insights
- Complete source code available on GitHub
Budget Bytes: Real developers. Real apps. Real affordable.
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