It’s been a while since Azure AI Foundry hit the scene, and Microsoft keeps evolving it. With new updates from Build this year, it’s more important than ever to understand the difference between Foundry Projects and Foundry Hubs—especially if you’re starting a new AI project.

Let’s break it down simply 👇

What Is Azure AI Foundry (Today)?

Think of Azure AI Foundry as your new all-in-one platform for building AI-powered applications. In the past, developers had to stitch together multiple Azure tools to get things running. Now? Foundry bundles the essentials into a single resource—like upgrading from a cluttered toolbox to a streamlined power station.

Foundry Projects = Safe Developer Playgrounds

Each developer gets a dedicated space to build, test, and experiment. These projects inherit security settings from the main resource, so IT stays in control without hovering.

It’s like giving each builder their own studio, but with shared blueprints.

🔗 Foundry API = One Language for All AI Models

• A standardized API to run agentic apps across different model providers (OpenAI, Mistral, etc.).
• No more rewriting code just to switch models. Simpler. Smarter.

🧰 Foundry SDKs = Developer-Friendly Tools

• Foundry now offers SDKs in Python, C#, JavaScript/TypeScript, and Java.
• Makes integration faster, without starting from scratch.

💻 VS Code Extension = Build Without Leaving Your IDE

• A brand-new extension lets you manage agents and models right from Visual Studio Code.
• Skip the browser-hopping and stay in flow.

🛡️ RBAC Roles = Tighter Access Control

• New roles like Admin, Project Manager, and Project User mean better permission handling.
• Separates infrastructure access from data access—more secure, less mess.

Foundry Project vs 🧩 Hub-Based Project

So… Which Should You Use?

• If you’re creating AI agents or apps → Start with Foundry Projects. That’s where Microsoft is investing, and where the latest features are landing.
  
• Still doing deep model training or legacy ML? → You’ll need Hub-Based Projects—at least for now.
  

Final Thoughts

Foundry Projects are the future of building AI apps on Azure—they’re unified, easier to manage, and packed with new dev-friendly features. While Hubs still have a role, especially for advanced model training, Microsoft is clearly steering development toward Projects.

So if you’re just getting started (or planning your next big build), Foundry Projects are your best bet.