Microsoft is promoting its AI Dev Gallery, an open-source application designed to empower Windows developers by making AI integration more accessible within their projects. First introduced in December 2024, the AI Dev Gallery was publicly showcased in April 2025 as a comprehensive tool for simplifying AI development using the .NET platform. Developers can download it directly from the Microsoft Store, where it is currently available in preview form.
The AI Dev Gallery functions as an experimental playground, enabling developers to explore and implement AI features without requiring cloud connectivity. This local-first approach allows users to run interactive samples such as retrieval-augmented generation (RAG), chatbots, object detection, and speech processing entirely on their own machines. By focusing on offline usability, the tool ensures a seamless development experience even in environments with limited or no internet access.
One standout capability of AI Dev Gallery is the transparent access it provides to source code. Developers can view the underlying C# code of each AI sample and export it effortlessly as a standalone Visual Studio project with just a single click. This feature facilitates rapid learning, customization, and integration of AI components into existing applications, accelerating development cycles.
Additionally, the gallery simplifies the process of discovering and using AI models by allowing users to browse repositories like Hugging Face and GitHub from within the app itself. With streamlined model downloads and automated compatibility checks, AI Dev Gallery ensures that developers work with versions optimized for the .NET ecosystem, removing much of the friction traditionally involved in managing AI model dependencies.