sooo i totally get where youre coming from! AI sounds super intimidating with all the math talk, but it basically just boils down to teaching computers to find patterns. honestly, since you're on a budget and just starting out, you dont need to drop a ton of cash right away. for your commute, i highkey recommend checking out Sololearn: Learn to Code app.

I mean, i was pretty satisfied with their data science and machine learning tracks cuz they break things down into these tiny, manageable chunks that are perfect for when you're on the bus or train. it's mostly free, which works well if you're trying to be cost-conscious!! another really cool one is Mimo: Learn Coding/HTML/JS. even though it started for web dev, they have some great intro to AI and Python stuff now that's super bite-sized. python is basically the language of AI, so learning that first makes the neural network stuff way easier to digest later on imo. plus, the daily streaks actually make the info stick... i usually hate apps that nag me, but this one actually kept me going lol. definitely start with the free versions before paying for any pro subs. hope that helps ur journey, good luck!

For your situation, I would suggest being pretty careful with mobile apps... I've tried a few but honestly was kinda disappointed. Most are way too basic, but Enki: Learn to code & AI is probably your best bet for bite-sized stuff. I had issues with other apps being too glitchy, but Sololearn: Learn to Code is decent for foundational logic. Just dont expect to become a pro overnight lol, maybe supplement with a real book later?? gl!

For your situation, I would suggest being a bit cautious because so many apps are just flashy wrappers without real depth!! Ngl, most 'AI for beginners' stuff is either way too mathy or basically just a quiz game. But since you're commuting, I HIGHLY recommend checking out Brilliant.org Premium Subscription. Honestly, their interactive approach to neural networks is amazing because they use visual puzzles instead of boring equations... it actually makes the logic stick!

Another solid pick is Mimo: Learn to Code and AI App. It’s super bite-sized and perfect for a train ride.

1. Start with Brilliant's 'Introduction to Neural Networks' to get the concepts down.
2. Then use Mimo to practice the actual Python syntax.
3. Keep a small notebook cuz sometimes you gotta jot down a logic flow to really get it.

It's a marathon, not a sprint, but these two together are a fantastic foundation. Hope that helps, gl!

Subbing for updates

To add to the point above: I spent a good six months trying to use those gamified apps everyone suggests, but unfortunately, they just didnt work for me long-term. I had issues with how shallow the content felt. Honestly, it was like I was winning at a mobile game rather than actually understanding how a model learns. Ngl, I was pretty frustrated when I tried to start a real project and realized I couldnt remember any of the logic because I was just tapping through shiny buttons. I eventually switched gears and found that the Coursera: Learn New Skills app was way more effective, especially for the Andrew Ng machine learning courses. Its not as flashy as some apps, but his explanation of how neurons actually process data is miles ahead of any quiz app. If you want something that feels a bit more modern but actually teaches you the hard stuff, I really liked the AI paths on Programming Hero: Coding Fun. They use a narrative style that makes the concepts feel real instead of just dry facts. Its better to spend your commute on one solid lecture that clicks than an hour on puzzles that dont translate to real code later on.

Tbh I totally agree with what's been said about those bite-sized apps being a lifesaver for commutes!!! It’s way better than trying to lug around a textbook or a laptop. But from what I’ve seen doing some market research lately, you might wanna branch out from just the "coding-only" apps and look at the big educational platforms instead. If you want a solid brand to trust, honestly you can’t go wrong with anything from Google or Microsoft right now. They’ve been pouring like... tons of money into their beginner AI modules because they want everyone using their ecosystems. The general consensus in the enthusiast community is that those big tech brands have way more resources to keep their content updated compared to smaller indie apps. I’d say just grab any foundational track from one of the big MOOC platforms - like Coursera or LinkedIn Learning - and stick with their brand-name paths. They’re basically the industry standard at this point and the mobile experience has gotten way smoother recently. Just find a high-rated brand and dive in, you'll get the hang of the logic eventually!!!

Saw this earlier and just had to chime in cuz I am literally obsessed with this stuff right now!! @Reply #2 - good point! Brilliant is so visual and fun, but for a really deep dive into the brands that actually dominate the learning space, you gotta check these out...

• DataCamp is fantastic because their DataCamp: Learn Data Science Mobile App has a special keyboard for coding on your phone. It sounds like a total nightmare but it is actually super smooth for learning ML basics without needing a laptop! I love how they game-ify the daily streaks too, keeps me motivated when I am tired.
• Coursera is my go-to for the deep theory behind the AI. With the Coursera: Online Courses App, you can watch the famous Stanford lectures by Andrew Ng. Honestly, just auditing the courses for free is the best hack ever for a commute. It is way more academic than the others but so worth it for a solid foundation.
• If you want a mix, Udacity: Learn Programming & AI App is a beast. They partner with big tech companies so the lessons feel super relevant to what is happening in the real world right now. The content is super high quality tho it can be a bit more intense. I have tried almost every brand out there and these three are definitely the top tier for actually making progress while you are traveling!!

Nice, didn't know that