AI Builder and Experimental Functions in PowerApps

AI Builder and Experimental Functions in PowerApps bring intelligence and innovation into your applications. As organizations increasingly look to automate decision-making and integrate smart features, PowerApps offers AI Builder and experimental features to create more dynamic, predictive, and advanced business solutions. From text recognition and object detection to trial functions that enhance user control, this combination empowers developers with cutting-edge capabilities. In this article, we’ll explore these two advanced areas in PowerApps with examples, best practices, and detailed usage guidelines.

Table of Contents – AI Builder and Experimental Functions in PowerApps

1. What Are AI Builder and Experimental Functions in PowerApps?
2. AI Builder Capabilities in PowerApps
3. How to Use AI Builder Models in PowerApps
4. Key AI Builder Functions and Their Use Cases
5. Licensing and Requirements for AI Builder in PowerApps
6. Introduction to Experimental Functions in PowerApps
7. Key Experimental Functions in PowerApps Explained
8. Benefits and Risks of Using Experimental Features
9. Real-world Use Cases of AI Builder and Experimental Functions
10. Best Practices for Using AI Builder and Experimental Functions in PowerApps
11. Limitations and Known Issues
12. Future Outlook: AI and Innovation in Power Platform
13. Conclusion

What Are AI Builder and Experimental Functions in PowerApps?

AI Builder is a Microsoft Power Platform capability that allows users to infuse AI into their PowerApps applications without writing complex code. It offers prebuilt and customizable models for:

• Text recognition
• Object detection
• Form processing
• Prediction
• Sentiment analysis

Experimental functions, on the other hand, are newly introduced, in-development features or formulas in PowerApps that may not yet be part of the standard release but can be enabled for testing and innovation.

AI Builder Capabilities in PowerApps

AI Builder offers a wide variety of AI-powered capabilities that help automate tasks and make informed decisions.

Key Features of AI Builder

• Binary Classification: Predict Yes/No outcomes
• Text Recognition: Extract text from images (OCR)
• Form Processing: Automatically read and parse structured documents
• Object Detection: Recognize objects in images
• Category Classification: Identify topics or categories in text
• Sentiment Analysis: Detect user sentiment in feedback or reviews

These features allow you to enrich PowerApps applications with intelligent workflows and smarter UI experiences.

How to Use AI Builder Models in PowerApps

To use AI Builder in your PowerApp, follow these steps:

1. Open PowerApps Studio
2. Click “AI Builder” on the left pane
3. Choose a prebuilt model (or create a custom one)
4. Train and publish the model
5. Add the AI Builder control or function into your app
6. Connect the control with your model

This enables real-time interaction with AI insights inside your forms, galleries, or automation flows.

Key AI Builder Functions and Their Use Cases

PowerApps integrates several AI Builder components through formulas and controls. Some key functions include:

1. TextRecognizer.RecognizeText

Used for OCR, especially in mobile apps.

Example:

Set(recognizedText, TextRecognizer.RecognizeText(Camera1.Photo))

2. ObjectDetector.DetectObjects

Detects physical items in camera input.

Use case: Inventory apps, quality inspection tools.

3. FormProcessor.Recognize

Extracts structured data from forms like invoices.

4. AIModel.Predict

For predictions based on historical data.

These models use AI to make decisions without needing external services.

Licensing and Requirements for AI Builder in PowerApps

AI Builder requires a Power Platform or PowerApps per app plan with AI credits. Some AI features are premium and need additional licenses.

Check your Microsoft 365 admin portal for license availability.

Introduction to Experimental Functions in PowerApps

PowerApps also includes experimental functions, which are new capabilities being tested. These are not generally available and can change over time.

To enable them:

1. Go to File > Settings > Upcoming Features
2. Turn on Experimental Features
3. Restart the app session

Key Experimental Functions in PowerApps Explained

1. With Function

Introduces a scoped variable context.

With({temp: 10}, temp + 5) // Returns 15

2. Concurrent Function

Runs multiple formulas simultaneously, improving performance.

Concurrent(
   Collect(ColA, SourceA),
   Collect(ColB, SourceB)
)

3. Named Record Scope in ForAll

Allows use of custom record naming in loops.

ForAll(Orders As o, Patch(Orders, o, {Status: "Shipped"}))

4. Index Function (Experimental)

Similar to Excel’s INDEX, retrieves an item by position.

Index(MyList, 3)

Benefits and Risks of Using Experimental Features

✅ Benefits

• Access to cutting-edge functionality
• Speed up app performance
• Reduce workarounds
• Simplify complex logic

⚠️ Risks

• Unstable – may break with updates
• Limited support from Microsoft
• Not supported in production environments

Always test thoroughly before deploying apps using experimental functions.

Real-world Use Cases of AI Builder and Experimental Functions in PowerApps

1. Automated Invoice Processing

Use FormProcessor to extract vendor data, dates, and totals from invoices.

2. Field Service Object Detection

Detect broken parts using AI in real-time with phone cameras.

3. Sentiment Analysis on Feedback

Apply sentiment model to customer surveys for faster review processing.

4. Batch Data Collection Using Concurrent

Use Concurrent to load multiple data sources faster at app launch.

5. Improving UX with With Function

Streamline nested logic using scoped variables in With().

Best Practices for Using AI Builder and Experimental Functions in PowerApps

1. Use Experimental Features Only in Dev/Test Environments
2. Combine AI Models with Error Handling Functions
3. Limit AI model calls to conserve credits
4. Label Experimental Function usage for review
5. Version Control Apps Before Enabling Beta Features
6. Use AI only where it adds real business value

Limitations and Known Issues

Future Outlook: AI and Innovation in Power Platform

Microsoft continues to evolve AI Builder and experimental functions in PowerApps, making them more powerful, stable, and accessible. Expect to see:

• Deeper integration with Azure OpenAI
• New experimental formulas promoted to standard
• AI Copilot tools expanding in PowerApps Studio

Power Platform is quickly becoming a low-code AI-first platform for businesses of all sizes.

Conclusion: The Power of AI Builder and Experimental Functions in PowerApps

Incorporating AI Builder and Experimental Functions in PowerApps transforms apps from static forms into smart, predictive tools. Whether you’re automating invoice capture, analyzing sentiment, or experimenting with concurrent data loads, these functions open the door to intelligent app development. With careful planning, testing, and the right licensing, organizations can unlock massive efficiency and user experience improvements.

By staying informed and cautious with experimental features, developers can innovate while ensuring stability. AI Builder and experimental capabilities mark the future of enterprise low-code development.

Here’s a comprehensive overview of PowerApps functions, organized for easy understanding and reference. You can also check the reference here