The journey to sharing your voice online begins with a single post, and this is mine. My AI journey began years ago, sparking a passion that burns brighter each day. This blog chronicles that evolution, capturing pivotal moments and insights along the way. By sharing my fascination, I inspire others to explore this revolutionary field. Join me as we dive into the fast-changing world of AI. I’ll document breakthroughs and ponder the future.
Why I’m Starting This Blog
I have found the idea of AI fascinating for as long as I can remember. As a child, I became obsessed with sci-fi shows like Knight Rider. The car KITT seemed like the ultimate smart assistant. I always wondered what the world would be like if AI became a reality. I became more fascinated as I wrote school papers on AI. I explored ideas like the singularity.
Fast forward to my first real encounter with AI in a practical sense. I began using NightCafe to generate art. It showed me what AI could do beyond sci-fi fantasies. I wanted to learn how to create better, more meaningful art, and this led me down the path of prompt engineering. I started studying how others crafted their AI images. I reverse-engineered their prompts and tested different approaches to see what worked.
Before I knew it, I was spending hours on YouTube. I was watching videos on prompt engineering. The techniques were like how I used to search on Google and AltaVista back in the day. (Talk about a blast from the past!) In a way, it felt like I was mastering a new form of “Google-fu,” but this time for AI art.
Expanding My AI Experience
That curiosity led me to explore advanced AI tools like Stable Diffusion. There, I learned to run models on my computer. I became addicted. I subscribed to ChatGPT, and that’s when everything changed—I found out it could help me write code.
I started using ChatGPT to help build Python tools for my client projects. In the process, I learned to code better. My first project using ChatGPT to help with coding had its challenges. But it also opened a new way of working. Then I tried a second project. It transformed into a weekend battle of writing code while grappling with the AI’s limits. During half of the time, I made real progress, while I spent the other half struggling against the AI itself.
That’s when I reached out to an expert I’d seen online. He recommended trying Cursor and Claude 3.5, and things started to fall into place. I had a time-sensitive project for a client. Using Cursor, I built tools and features in record time. What took me an entire weekend of frustration before, I finished in just one hour.
When I told my friend and podcast co-host about this, he suggested I start a blog to share my journey and lessons. So, here we are—this blog is my way of doing just that.
What Makes Me Qualified to Do This?
I’m not a professional programmer, but I am an IT generalist with a wealth of experience.
I studied programming and got certified in:
- Continuous Delivery Ecosystem
- Certified DevOps for Innovation
- Design Thinking
I’ve not focused on programming in my career. But, I’ve collaborated with developers on many projects. I’ve also taught myself several programming languages. My varied skills and my “Solution Intuition” give me a unique view.
Solution Intuition is a skill I’ve honed over the years. It’s an instinct for problem-solving. It helps me tackle complex challenges from many angles. It allows me to filter through several potential solutions and focus on the most viable ones. A former manager once told me this is what makes me good at what I do. It’s like seeing 10 possible solutions and identifying the 3 that will work without delay.
Losing my job as a Technology Specialist caused me to have what I refer to as a career-life crisis. I asked myself, “What do I want to do most?” The answer: become a consultant and help people solve problems. That’s been my passion ever since. My superpower is solving abstract problems. I do this by backing up a few levels and using existing solutions in new ways.
I also have a deep love for learning. As an INTP (Myers-Briggs test), I crave knowledge. I want to build my own internal encyclopedia. While this process often looks chaotic to others, it’s something I’ve embraced. Along the way, I’ve picked up the ability to teach and explain complex concepts in a way that makes sense to others. I’ve made a lot of money tutoring people. I hope this blog shares what I’ve learned.
Why I’m Excited About This Journey
I have the right mix of skills, experience, and passion. I can help others explore AI’s potential in coding and development. This blog is for you, whether you’re an experienced developer or new to AI and programming. I hope you’ll find it valuable. My journey with AI has begun. I’m excited to share it with you as I learn, experiment, and push the limits of what is possible.
Thank you for joining me on this adventure.