I want to build my first AI product
Step-by-step from someone who did it with zero coding knowledge. Start with a project, not courses.
Start With Something You Want to Build
Don't start with courses. Start with a project. I wanted a chatbot for my blog - that drove everything.
Consider the Fast Track (New for 2026)
If I were starting today, I'd look at Google's new AI certificate first. It includes vibe coding — building apps without writing code. In 2023 I spent months learning Python basics. This might get you building faster.
Use AI as Your Coding Tutor
ChatGPT wrote most of my early code. The key is knowing what to ask. Take fundamental courses to build vocabulary.
Learn Security Before Deploying
I got 200+ security warnings on my first deployment. Learn the fundamentals first.
The Course Sequence That Worked
Andrew Ng's courses gave me the vocabulary to think about AI. Here's the order I recommend.
Survive the Valley of Death
You will get stuck. I was stuck for 3 months. The key is to keep trying different approaches.
Ship Something Real
DIALØGUE took 6 months. STRAŦUM took 75 days. The first product is the hardest. Just ship.