How to Add Vector Search to Azure AI Search (Create a True Hybrid Search System)

Join the Free Azure Community! https://azureinnovationstation.com/community Want help building an Azure AI Agent in 30 days or less? https://forms.office.com/r/aevnshFdmC Want to take your Azure AI Search from basic keyword search to next-level semantic intelligence? In this tutorial, I’ll show you exactly how to add vector search to an existing Azure AI Search resource — turning it into a hybrid search system that combines keyword precision with AI-powered understanding. Here’s what you’ll learn: 🧠 A quick primer on vectors and embeddings — what they are and why they matter. ⚙️ How to add vector fields and skill sets in the Azure portal. 🤖 How to deploy an embedding model in Azure AI Foundry. 🔐 How to set up managed identities for secure access between Search, Storage, and Foundry. 🔁 How to update your indexer to map embeddings and skill outputs to your index. 🔍 How to run your first vector query and see hybrid search in action. By the end, you’ll know how to upgrade your existing Azure AI Search resource into a powerful hybrid engine — without starting from scratch. ▬▬▬▬▬▬ C H A P T E R S ▬▬▬▬▬▬ 00:00:00 Intro 00:00:20 What is a vector? What is an Embedding? 00:02:26 Turn on Managed Identity for Azure AI Search 00:02:46 Create Azure AI Foundry Resource 00:04:31 Create Role Assignments to give access to Azure AI Search 00:06:06 Create an AI Embedding Model deployment in Azure AI Foundry 00:08:07 Create Vector Field in Azure AI Search Index 00:10:54 How to create a Skillset for Azure AI Search 00:13:35 How to update your Indexer in Azure AI Search 00:17:01 How to make vector queries in Azure AI Search ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ Vector Embedding Dimensions Doc https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/search/cognitive-search-skill-azure-openai-embedding#supported-dimensions-by-modelname Check out the Azure AI Search Masterclass! https://youtu.be/yu4M7OKjnR4?si=VS7B1PZ5jny6c4go If you want to learn more about Azure check out these video Playlists Azu