Getting Started with Generative AI: A Beginner’s Guide

As a software engineer with 20 years of mostly backend and cloud development background, I come from a generation of folks who barely had any AI experience. Back then colleges concentrated on teaching arcane programming languages like Cobolt or Pascal because of the fear that the Y2K bug would cause an apocalypse. That never happened and instead, we spent the early years of the new millennia building CRM and ERP applications :)

A year ago I had to quickly pivot into the AI space, and specifically Gen AI. This was an interesting journey and not without its challenges. If you're like me thinking about taking the plunge into this, I hope this post will help you.

Generative AI (GenAI) is a fascinating field that has made waves in technology and innovation. From creating art and music to writing code and generating realistic human-like text, GenAI is transforming industries and opening up new possibilities.

What is Generative AI?

Generative AI refers to a subset of artificial intelligence that focuses on generating new content, such as images, music, text, and more. Unlike traditional AI, which often focuses on analyzing data and making predictions, GenAI creates new data that mimics the patterns and structures found in its training data.

Why Get Into Generative AI?

1. Innovation: GenAI is at the forefront of innovation, with applications in creative arts, entertainment, healthcare, and more.
2. Career Opportunities: As businesses adopt AI technologies, the demand for skilled GenAI professionals is on the rise.
3. Creative Potential: GenAI allows you to explore and expand your creative capabilities by automating and enhancing various creative processes.

Getting Started: Key Resources

Here are some top-quality courses and resources that helped me get started in the GenAI space:

1. AI for Everyone

   • Duration: 6-10 hours
   • Description: This course by DeepLearning.AI provides a comprehensive introduction to AI, making complex concepts accessible to beginners.
   • Link: AI for Everyone

2. Generative AI for Everyone

   • Duration: 3-5 hours
   • Description: A focused course that dives into the specifics of Generative AI, covering its applications and fundamental techniques.
   • Link: Generative AI for Everyone

3. ChatGPT Prompt Engineering

   • Duration: 1-2 hours
   • Description: This course offers practical skills for developing effective AI interactions, specifically with ChatGPT.
   • Link: ChatGPT Prompt Engineering

4. Python 3

   • Duration: 15+ hours
   • Description: A comprehensive list of courses that teach you Python, from foundation to advanced. Although JS/TS is the second most popular language in the AI space. Python is the King.
   • Link: Python 3

Subscription Information & Affiliation

While some of these resources require a subscription, they are invaluable investments for anyone serious about learning new things. The knowledge and skills I gained from these courses have provided a strong foundation and opened up plenty of opportunities in the GenAI space.

Deeplearning.ai and Pluralsight are the two resources I use anytime I need to quickly learn a new skill.

Pluralsight's link is an affiliate link that buys me a coffee each time somebody subscribes :)

Starting your journey in Generative AI can be both exciting and rewarding. With the right resources and a passion for learning, you can delve into this cutting-edge field and unlock new creative and professional opportunities. The courses mentioned above have been instrumental in my GenAI journey, and I highly recommend them to anyone looking to get started. Happy learning!