You sit down at your desk with a freshly brewed cup of coffee in hand. In front of you, instead of your usual work setup, you find an open playground of data, algorithms, and models—a world that speaks the language of artificial intelligence (AI).
Now, pause for a moment and ask yourself: what if, instead of being a passive consumer of AI, you could be an active creator, a part of the conversation? What if, instead of just using AI, you could actually understand how it works and even create it?
The reality is, things are going to get faster and faster, according to Vishen, the founder and CEO of Mindvalley. And knowing how to learn AI and implement it can, without a doubt, keep you ahead of the game.
What is artificial intelligence (AI)?
AI, in the simplest terms, is a field of computer science that designs and develops systems capable of performing tasks that usually require human intelligence. It’s changing the world in unprecedented ways—from recommendation engines that predict our next favorite movie to self-driving cars and virtual assistants.
Based on a 2022 survey by the Pew Research Center, a good number of Americans are excited about the increased use of AI. They believe it can significantly improve key aspects of our lives and society (31%), thanks to its ability to save time and increase efficiency (13%), as well as handle mundane tasks (7%).
And here’s the catch: understanding AI today is not a niche skill for computer scientists but a necessity for everyone. And as Vishen points out, “If you’re not using AI, you’re going to be replaced by someone who’s using AI.”
Why is it important to learn AI today?
The answer is simple: relevance. Today, AI is at the heart of our digital lives and economies, permeating every industry.
A 2023 PwC report predicts that intelligence automation “could contribute up to $15.7 trillion to the global economy in 2030.” Out of this total, approximately $6.6 trillion is expected to be generated through enhanced productivity.
So why learn this type of intelligence? Here are several compelling reasons:
- AI helps with productivity. It has the potential to revolutionize workflows and streamline processes. This allows you to accomplish tasks faster and more efficiently.
- AI unleashes creativity and innovation. You can harness the power of AI to create innovative solutions, develop intelligent applications, and explore new frontiers in fields like AI-generated art, music, and writing.
- AI addresses societal challenges. You can contribute to developing AI-driven solutions that address critical issues and make a positive impact on society. It can optimize resource allocation, improve decision-making in healthcare, predict climate patterns, and enhance personalized education experiences.
The potential of AI to drive innovation, improve efficiency, and generate business value is unparalleled. It’s become one of the most sought-after hard skills that employers highly value—the demand is absolutely there.
Popular careers in AI
With a diverse range of career paths in the field of AI, there’s something for everyone. Here is a list of the more popular ones:
- Data scientists analyze and interpret complex data sets to extract valuable insights and make informed business decisions.
- Machine learning engineers develop algorithms and models that enable computer systems to learn and improve from experience without explicit programming.
- AI research scientists conduct in-depth research to advance AI technologies, develop new algorithms, and push the boundaries of AI capabilities.
- Robotics engineers design, build, and program robotic systems that can perform various tasks autonomously or interact with humans in different environments.
- Natural language processing specialists develop algorithms and models to enable computers to understand, interpret, and generate human language for tasks like speech recognition and machine translation.
- Computer vision engineers develop algorithms and systems that allow machines to perceive and understand visual information from images or videos.
- AI ethicists address the ethical implications and societal impact of AI technologies, ensuring that AI systems are developed and deployed responsibly and ethically.
- AI product managers oversee the development and deployment of AI-powered products, working closely with cross-functional teams to align business objectives with user needs.
- AI consultants provide expert advice and guidance to organizations on leveraging AI technologies, helping them implement AI strategies and optimize business processes.
- AI specialists in healthcare focus on applying AI techniques to improve medical diagnostics, drug discovery, patient care, and personalized medicine, driving advancements in the healthcare industry.
The reality is, it’s no longer a question of if AI will reshape your professional journey, but when. And if you see yourself in five years using automation technologies, you’re well ahead of the game.
How to learn AI from scratch
There’s something exciting about being on the brink of a revolution. Whether you’re passionate about creating cutting-edge AI applications, diving into the world of AI programming, or exploring the fascinating realm of AI art, there are endless possibilities awaiting you.
But where can you go to find out how to learn about AI? Here are several that Mindvalley has to offer:
1. Mindvalley AI Summit 2024
The highly anticipated Mindvalley AI Summit 2024 takes place on July 12–14, 2024. And it will be a game-changer.
Watched by over 100,000 people in 2023, Mindvalley’s biggest summit ever is back. Whether you’re looking to grasp the fundamentals or seek advanced insights on how to learn AI and machine learning, this summit has something for everyone.
Sign up for the Mindvalley AI Summit 2024.
In the meantime, here’s a little preview of what you’ll find there:
How to learn AI programming
If programming is your interest, make sure to sit in on the sessions with Vykintas Glodenis, the AI transformation officer at Mindvalley.
- Using Linked Data to Harness the Transformative Power of AI. He’ll dive into how linked data can revolutionize AI’s capabilities with examples and tips on how you can use it in your projects.
- Build Your First AI App in 1 Hour. He’ll also talk about how you can make your own AI app with easy steps and practice.
It’s a chance to learn and create projects, even if you’re new to automated intelligence.
How to learn AI art
Art is a part of life. So how can AI be used to create it? That’s what Vishen and Manon Dave, chief product officer at Mindvalley, will get into at the AI Summit.
- Writing Books in Your Voice. Vishen will explore how AI can help you write books that reflect your unique style and voice. He guides you on leveraging AI tools to enhance your writing process and create compelling content.
- Creating Images that Match Your Company’s Voice. In another session, Vishen talks about how AI can create visuals that match your company’s style and message. He gives practical tips and ideas to help you make visuals that have a strong impact.
- How to Create World-Class Art and Music with AI. Manon will show you how to leverage AI tools and techniques to unlock your creative potential and create extraordinary artistic expressions.
There’s creation in every aspect of life. And it doesn’t die with AI.
2. 3 days to mastering ChatGPT with Andri Peetso
How long does it take to learn AI? Well, it really depends from person to person and the depth of knowledge they’d want to dive into.
With that being said, though, if it’s ChatGPT, you can do it in three days. With Andri Peetso, the founder of Conturata-AI, a leading-edge educational platform for AI, you’ll find yourself in an immersive and hands-on experience that aims to unlock the full potential of the program.
Andri will guide you through a series of exercises and demonstrations. This will help you gain a deep understanding of ChatGPT’s functionalities and learn how to effectively utilize them.
As a Mindvalley Member, you can take the course, 3 days to mastering ChatGPT with Andri Peetso, which is available on the Mindvalley App.
3. How we use AI to double our business productivity
Vishen takes the stage at A-Fest 2023 in Colombia and gets into how AI tools can do amazing things.
- Changing the way we work and how it can make us more productive,
- Do things like create amazing images and write scripts, and
- Saves time and money for businesses.
What’s more, AI education could provide the skills that will become really important in the future—even more important than traditional qualifications. It’ll become, as Vishen imagines, a world where people work fewer hours, giving them more free time for the things they enjoy.
If you want to know how to learn AI for free, this video on Mindvalley’s YouTube channel is one to watch:
4. Mindvalley podcasts
New innovations will undoubtedly raise questions. Questions like “Is AI dangerous?” or even “How can it help me with my personal growth?”
These are some of the topics that Mindvalley’s podcasts on artificial intelligence dive into. With thought-provoking discussions and expert guests, these episodes provide a deep dive into the impact and potential of AI in various fields.
You can gain valuable knowledge about harnessing the potential of AI tools to enhance productivity and tap into your creative abilities. And whether you’re a tech enthusiast, an entrepreneur, or simply curious about the future of AI, these podcasts are meant to ignite your imagination and leave you inspired.
5 tips for learning AI
Learning AI might seem daunting, especially when you’re implementing it as part of your career goals. However, with the right approach, it’s entirely within your grasp.
Here are some tips to help you out:
- Begin with an introductory course on AI. Learn the basics of AI, understand its impact, and explore various specializations.
- Pick up programming, preferably Python. There are numerous free resources to learn Python, and its significance in AI cannot be overstated.
- Learn mathematics, especially statistics and linear algebra, as they form the backbone of many AI algorithms.
- Specialize based on your interests. Be it natural language processing, computer vision, or AI in healthcare, dive deeper into one area.
- Work on projects. Whether it’s through Kaggle competitions, personal projects, or open-source contributions, hands-on experience is invaluable.
Remember, it’s not about how quickly you can cram all this knowledge in. Rather, it’s about building a solid, sustainable learning habit.
AI is a broad and deep field, and mastering it will take time. So don’t rush; just enjoy the journey.
Redefine possibilities with AI
Learning AI is not only about technical skills but also about adaptability, curiosity, and perseverance. It doesn’t matter if you stumble along the way; what matters is that you persist. After all, the future belongs to those who are ready to learn, unlearn, and relearn.
That’s where the Mindvalley AI Summit 2024 comes in.
Designed to demystify AI and make it accessible to all, the AI Summit is more than just an event; it’s an experience. It brings together experts from around the world, a cutting-edge curriculum, and a vibrant community.
The question is no longer just about how to learn AI, but how to use AI to transform your life and the world around you.
Welcome in.