Microsoft has introduced AI Dev Gallery, an innovative open-source application designed to help Windows developers seamlessly incorporate AI functionalities into their projects. Currently available as a preview version in the Microsoft Store, this tool aims to simplify AI integration by providing ready-to-use samples, downloadable models, and exportable code.

Simplifying AI Development for .NET Developers

First announced in December 2024 and showcased in April, AI Dev Gallery serves as a local development hub for AI experimentation. Unlike cloud-dependent solutions, this tool allows developers to build and test AI-powered applications entirely offline, making it ideal for those who prefer on-device processing.

Key offerings include:

• Interactive AI samples covering diverse use cases like:
  • Retrieval-augmented generation (RAG)
  • Chatbot interfaces
  • Object detection
  • Speech-to-text and text-to-speech conversion
  • Document summarization and analysis
• One-click export of C# source code into Visual Studio projects
• Direct access to AI models from Hugging Face and GitHub
• Automatic compatibility checks to ensure models work smoothly with .NET

Why This Matters for Developers

By eliminating the need for cloud dependencies, AI Dev Gallery empowers developers to:
✔ Experiment freely without worrying about API costs or latency
✔ Customize AI models locally before deployment
✔ Accelerate prototyping with pre-built, modifiable examples

Microsoft’s move underscores its commitment to democratizing AI development, particularly for the Windows and .NET ecosystems. As the preview evolves, developers can expect more features and expanded model support.

For those eager to explore, AI Dev Gallery is now accessible via the Microsoft Store, offering a hands-on way to integrate AI into applications—no cloud required.