Where to Start with AI: A Beginner's Guide
Where do I even start???
I often get asked by people interested in AI: “Where do I even start?” The field can feel overwhelming—it’s evolving rapidly, with new breakthroughs almost daily. To make things a little easier, I’ve put together a quick guide to help folks navigate this space.
Below, you’ll find a curated list of resources spanning technology, product, business insights, courses, blogs, and even conferences. My hope is that this will help folks build the foundational skills needed to harness AI effectively, whether it’s to boost productivity, spark creativity, or explore new possibilities.
Have suggestions or think I missed something important? Drop your recommendations in the comments—I’d love to hear from you!
AI Tech/Product 101
Generative AI for Everyone (by Andrew Ng)
A beginner-friendly course introducing the basics of generative AI, led by one of the field’s most trusted educators.Generative AI Fundamentals (by NVIDIA)
Dive deeper into the technical foundations of generative AI with this course from NVIDIA.OpenAI Developer Day
Stay tuned for updates and insights from OpenAI’s dedicated developer event.The Transformer Paper
The foundational research paper that introduced transformers, the architecture behind most modern AI systems like GPT.
💡 Pro Tip: Use ChatGPT while learning—let the AI teach you about AI! Try prompting it with questions about concepts you’re exploring to solidify your understanding.
AI from a Business Perspective
Generative AI: A Creative New World
Sequoia Capital's deep dives are great-reads for understanding AI’s business implications, from emerging opportunities to the rise of autonomous systems.
AI Newsletters Worth Subscribing To
TL;DR AI
A digestible, daily newsletter with the latest in AI, delivered straight to your inbox.
AI Conferences in the Bay Area
Cerebral Valley Summit
A premier event bringing together AI leaders and enthusiasts in the Bay Area.
I hope this guide gives you a solid starting point. AI can feel complex, but with the right resources, it’s absolutely learnable—and incredibly rewarding.