Welcome to AI Plebeian
A Working Person’s Approach to AI and Coding
AI is reshaping the world. It’s a revolutionary technology that’s driving tremendous value, and if you're interested in a tech career, you can’t afford to ignore it.
I'm in the same boat.
This blog is a journal of my explorations into Python and AI implementation. I won’t be diving deep into the math behind AI—just enough to understand the basics. My goal is to leave behind trail markers for others on a similar journey.
So, what is AI?
AI (Artificial Intelligence) is a set of technologies that allow computers to perform tasks usually associated with human intelligence. AI systems can learn, solve problems, make decisions, and engage in conversations.
I also want to be clear about what AI isn’t. Despite its name, AI is not truly intelligent. It isn’t creative, doesn’t have its own motivations, and won’t take over the world of its own volition. AI is a tool, not a sentient being. The kind of AI we see in science fiction—Artificial General Intelligence (AGI)—does not exist (yet).
AI Implementation, Not AI Research
We’re not building the next ChatGPT here. AI implementation is about using the incredible tools that already exist. And trust me, the things you can build with today’s AI—especially if you can write a bit of code—are astonishing.
This is not a non-technical blog. We’re going to write code and build apps. I come from a web development background, and while I’m not new to coding, I do need to brush up on my Python. That’s where I’m starting. Python isn’t strictly necessary for AI, but it’s the language of choice in the field, with extensive libraries and frameworks that make AI implementation easier.
Who Are the AI Plebeians?
In Ancient Rome, a plebeian (ple-bee-an) was a commoner.
Today, “plebeian” refers to the builders, the doers—the people who make things happen.
We don’t have PhDs in Computer Science or Mathematics. We don’t have millions (or billions) of dollars to build an AI competitor to OpenAI, DeepSeek, Meta, or Google. Yet, we’re remarkably capable. We’re scrappy, smart, and we know how to do what plebeians have always done: work.
If you’re new to coding, I’ll include beginner-friendly resources as we go. But make no mistake—coding skills are table stakes for making use of AI. The good news? Everything you need to learn is online and often free. The tools to build AI-powered apps? Also free.
The only real cost will be API usage, since all that compute power doesn’t grow on virtual trees. I’ll include cost-management tips as needed.
The beginning of a new journey is always exciting.
Let’s get going.