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Microsoft Launches AI Dev Gallery Preview to Empower Windows Developers with Local AI Tools

Microsoft has unveiled a new resource for Windows developers: the AI Dev Gallery, an open-source toolkit aimed at simplifying the integration of artificial intelligence into desktop applications built with .NET.

Officially introduced as a preview version and now available in the Microsoft Store, the AI Dev Gallery provides hands-on tools and pre-configured samples designed to streamline AI implementation in local projects. This initiative builds upon Microsoft’s broader goal to make AI development more accessible and less reliant on cloud-based infrastructure.

AI Integration Made Simple—No Cloud Required

What sets the AI Dev Gallery apart is its local-first approach. All included samples run directly on the user’s device, meaning no internet connection or cloud service is necessary. Developers can test and embed features like:

  • Chatbots with generative AI

  • RAG (retrieval-augmented generation)

  • Object detection from images

  • Natural language processing features such as summarization

  • Real-time voice-to-text and text-to-speech functionality

The gallery acts as a launchpad for AI experimentation, targeting developers who prefer working within the Visual Studio and .NET environment.

Explore, Customize, Export

Each sample provided in the gallery includes full access to the underlying C# code. With just one click, developers can export any sample into a fully structured Visual Studio project, making it easy to modify or expand upon existing templates. Microsoft emphasizes that this feature is ideal for learning, prototyping, and real-world application development.

To help users find the right models, AI Dev Gallery offers seamless browsing of popular model repositories like GitHub and Hugging Face. It automatically manages compatibility to ensure smooth integration with .NET, eliminating the guesswork around model versions or dependencies.

Designed for Developers, Backed by Open Source

Initially revealed in late 2024, this new tool reflects Microsoft’s ongoing efforts to support the growing intersection of AI and Windows software development. By making the AI Dev Gallery open source, Microsoft invites the developer community to contribute, adapt, and extend the project to meet evolving needs in the AI space.