Re: "Just saw this and figured id chime in..." - honestly, ive spent over a decade jumping between tech stacks and trying to keep up with AI while commuting. Most apps just dont cut it for a noisy train ride. Over the years, ive found that bite-sized learning is the only way to stay consistent without burning out. In my experience, these two are your best bet for your Chicago commute:

• Enki AI and Coding App Premium Subscription

Pros: Super casual, gamified lessons that focus on the big picture. It basically feels like a game and stays under that 20 dollar mark easily.
Cons: Might feel a bit too surface-level after a few weeks.

• DataCamp Learn Data Science and AI Mobile Subscription

Pros: Their mobile app is surprisingly sleek for theory. They have an AI Fundamentals track that is purely conceptual. No code required at first.
Cons: Can get a bit repetitive if you binge it too fast. Tbh i used Enki for months while riding the L and it actually stuck. Just focus on the logic first and the scary math stuff will make way more sense later on.

Just saw this and figured id chime in because i was in the same boat last month. You definitely want to be careful with apps that promise too much too fast because AI is actually pretty complex under the hood. For a safe start on your commute, I would suggest checking these out:

• Sololearn Pro Annual Subscription: This one is really solid for mobile. It has a dedicated AI section that stays away from the heavy math early on. Just make sure to stick to the official paths so you dont get confused by user-generated content which can be hit or miss.
• Mimo Pro Subscription: This is probably the most beginner-friendly option. Its basically Duolingo but for tech. It wont make you a pro overnight but its very low risk for a 40-minute train ride. Maybe start with the free trials first to see which interface feels more stable on your phone. You dont want to commit money until youre sure the app wont crash mid-lesson.

Honestly, finding a mobile app for AI that isnt just a glorified textbook or a math quiz is harder than it should be. I had issues with Brilliant Premium Subscription too because the learning curve is just too steep for a casual commute. Unfortunately, most of these platforms are not as good as expected when you actually try to use them on a small screen without a keyboard. If you really want to make progress under $20, check out Enki Pro AI and Data Science Path. Its usually around $12 a month. It avoids the heavy math at first and uses a swipe-based interface that works perfect for a train ride. I also tried SoloLearn Plus Subscription but the AI content felt way too shallow and disorganized for my taste. Enki is much more direct and actually teaches the concepts without making you solve equations on day one.