17/05/2026 6:25 am
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I actually feel like a total idiot even asking this but I am super stressed out. I lost my job at a warehouse here in Ohio recently and it feels like everything is moving toward AI and I dont want to get left behind in the dust. I want to try and learn how to actually build these things but I have no idea where to start and looking at all these guides online is just making me feel more lost. Some people say Python is the only way to go but then I see others talking about C++ or Java or even R and I am just sitting here with a cheap laptop and maybe 200 dollars to my name for any kind of online classes. I really need to start learning something by the end of the month so I can hopefully find a better path forward but I dont want to waste my time and money on the wrong thing. Is there one specific language that is the absolute most essential for AI development or do I need to learn a whole bunch of them at the same time? I am totally new to this so please explain it like I am five because I honestly have no clue what I am doing right now...
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17/05/2026 6:50 am
I was in your shoes a few years back and honestly, I'm so satisfied I didn't blow my savings on a bootcamp. Just focus on Python. I taught myself using a library card and No Starch Press Python Crash Course 3rd Edition which works well for total beginners. Dont touch the other languages yet... TL;DR: Stick to Python and use free YouTube tutorials to keep that $200 in your pocket.
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17/05/2026 7:00 am
@Reply #1 - good point!
- Python: Absolute king for AI.
- JavaScript: Kinda cool for web. Love Packt Publishing Artificial Intelligence with Python 2nd Edition for starting! Its fantastic!
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17/05/2026 6:25 am
Honestly, stick with Python first. I have been doing this for years and its the safest bet for your budget.
- Python: Best for beginners and has every AI tool you need.
- C++: Way faster but takes forever to learn. I would suggest avoiding those expensive classes for now. Be careful with your cash. If you need a solid book check out O'Reilly Hands-On Machine Learning with Scikit-Learn Keras and TensorFlow 3rd Edition.
