Hey everyone! I’ve been really curious about artificial intelligence lately, especially with how fast everything is moving, but I’m feeling a bit overwhelmed by where to start. Every time I try to look into it, I get hit with heavy math and complex Python tutorials that honestly feel a bit intimidating for a complete newcomer.
I’m looking for a beginner-friendly app—something I can use on my phone during my commute—that breaks down the basics of AI, machine learning, and maybe even prompt engineering in a way that’s easy to digest. I’ve checked out a few platforms like Coursera, but they felt a bit too academic and time-consuming for where I'm at right now. I’m really hoping to find something more gamified or bite-sized, similar to how Duolingo works for languages. I don't mind paying a small monthly fee if the content is high-quality and keeps me engaged. I'm particularly interested in understanding the logic behind Large Language Models (LLMs) and how to actually use generative tools like Midjourney more effectively.
Has anyone found an app that helped them get their feet wet without feeling completely lost in technical jargon? I'd love to hear what worked for you!
tbh i was so lost!
- Try Mimo: Learn Coding/AI/HTML for LLM tokenization logic.
- It works well without the scary math.
- My prompting got wayyy better after, no complaints!
Ok so, I've lowkey been obsessed with finding the "Duolingo of AI" cuz the academic Coursera stuff is just way too dry for a morning commute!! If you want to understand LLMs without the math headache, here's how I'd compare the top ones based on what I've tried:
* Brilliant.org Premium Annual Subscription (around $13.49/mo): This is honestly the gold standard. It’s super visual and teaches you the LOGIC behind neural networks and LLMs using puzzles. It’s basically exactly the gamified vibe you’re looking for, though it’s the priciest option here.
* Enki App Pro Version (about $8-12/mo): This one is fantastic for bite-sized lessons. They have a specific AI track that isn't just "here is a wall of Python code." It feels like a chat interface which is cool for when you're on the bus.
* Sololearn Pro Monthly Subscription (starts at $12.99/mo): Super gamified with leaderboards and XP. It's a bit more "codey," but their new generative AI modules are actually really good for beginners on a budget since the free version is quite generous.
In my experience, Brilliant.org is the winner for actually *understanding* the "why" behind AI. It's amazing how they break down complex stuff. But if you're trying to save cash, Sololearn's free tier is a total win. For Midjourney v6 specifically tho, I'd honestly just stick to free community guides or Discord... no need to pay for a whole app just for prompt tips! gl!!
Seconding the recommendation above! Brilliant is literally the gold standard if you want to understand the logic without the scary math. It's sooo worth it for the visual aspect alone. But since I'm a total budget nerd, I gotta ask a couple of things to help you find the best value: 1. What's ur actual monthly budget? Some apps have insane lifetime deals that are way cheaper long-term than a monthly sub.
2. Are you looking to build your own stuff eventually, or just want to be a power user of tools like Midjourney? Honestly, for Midjourney, most 'learning apps' are kinda overpriced. You can actually get better info for free on Discord or YouTube. But if you want a structured app for the LLM stuff, maybe check out DataCamp’s mobile version too—it’s surprisingly punchy for commutes and covers the fundamentals of LLM architecture! Just found this thread and wanted to jump in cuz I've been down this rabbit hole myself lol. It's a bit overwhelming but your gonna get the hang of it... Peace 👍
To add to the point above: honestly it is absolute insanity how much some of these companies are charging for basic info right now! It drives me crazy seeing these apps market themselves as revolutionary when they are basically just wrappers for stuff you can find for free. It is such a scam how the prices keep going up while the actual educational quality is tanking just to chase the hype! I am so tired of seeing half-baked tutorials that cost a fortune. Comparing some of these big names is depressing because they all seem to be charging premium prices for the same recycled content. Before I dive in tho, I gotta ask: are you mainly trying to learn the theory so you can talk shop, or are you actually looking to get hands-on with generating stuff? The market is so split right now and I dont want you throwing cash at a platform that doesnt actually fit your commute vibe!
I actually spent a few weeks doing a deep dive into the market specs for a bunch of these apps because I wanted to see which ones actually explain the transformer architecture without just dumping a bunch of Python libraries on you. Its a weirdly crowded market right now and a lot of platforms are just skinning ChatGPT APIs instead of actually teaching the underlying tech. I ended up comparing a couple of players that havent been mentioned yet: