How I Learned AI as a Complete Beginner

I started learning AI 10 years ago, long before it was ever a fad. AI caught my attention in my first year of university, as a 17 year old I was both intrigued and intimidated. My degree was in Software Engineering, but you don’t really learn much your first year; I used to be a freelance coder with a passion to UI design and a curiosity about teaching a computer to think for ITSELF.

Let’s first answer the all important question! Why Learn AI?

Before diving into the technicalities, I asked myself, “Why learn AI?” The answer was clear: the AI market was booming, projected to reach nearly $2 trillion by 2030. It was a golden opportunity to be part of a revolutionary change.

Choosing the Path — Code vs. Low/No-Code

The first real decision was whether to take the coding route or use low/no-code tools. I opted for coding, recognizing the importance of understanding the technical side of AI.

While low/no-code tools like Botpress, Stack AI, and Flowwise offer quick ways to prototype and build simple bots, they don’t provide the depth of understanding required for creating , scalable AI solutions. Coding, on the other hand, allows for a deeper dive into the mechanics of AI, enabling the creation of more reliable and comprehensive applications.