What is AI and ML? How to start from the very basics with no background in coding.

 

Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning are taking over every other industry, ranging from healthcare and finance to marketing and daily consumer apps. But if you are just starting out and have no coding background, fear not. Today, learning AI and ML is easier and more beginner-friendly than ever before. This guide explains what AI and ML actually are and how you can start learning step by step.

What is AI? 

Artificial intelligence refers to machines or software capable of carrying out tasks that normally require human intelligence.

These activities include:

• Understanding language
• Recognizing images
• Decision making
• Problem solving
• Creative content generation

Examples include the use of AI in Google Assistant, ChatGPT, and Netflix recommendations.

In other words, AI is the overarching field concerned with giving machines "intelligence."

What is Machine Learning?

Machine Learning is the subfield of AI that enables computers to learn from data. Rather than being programmed with IF-ELSE rules, ML models learn patterns themselves from examples.

Example:

If you show a machine 10,000 photos of cats and dogs, it will learn how to identify them—even without being told how a cat looks.

In a nutshell, ML is how AI learns and improves over time.

How to Start Learning AI & ML From Zero (Even Without Coding)

Step 1: Learn the basics of how AI works.

You don't need to be a programmer to understand concepts like:

• What is data?
• What are algorithms?
• What is a model training?
• How do predictions work?

Free beginner resources (no coding):

• YouTube basics on AI
• Google's "Machine Learning Crash Course"
• Coursera: AI for Everyone (by Andrew Ng)

Step 2: Reinforce Your Math Foundation - Only for Beginner Level

You only need simple math:

• Basic algebra
• Percentages
• Graph reading
• Introductory statistics

This helps understand why models make certain decisions—but you don't need advanced mathematics to begin.

Step 3: Begin with No-Code AI Tools

AI has become beginner-friendly with no-code platforms, on which you can create models by dragging and dropping. Examples include

• Google Teachable Machine
• Microsoft Lobe
• Canva AI tools
• ChatGPT & Claude for text tasks
• RunwayML for video and image models

These tools help you understand ML concepts without writing a single line of code.

Step 4: Gradually Transition into Coding - Optional yet Highly Recommended

Whenever you are comfortable, begin learning:

• Python is the major language for AI.
• Libraries: NumPy, Pandas, Scikit-Learn
• Platforms like Kaggle for hands-on practice

Start with tiny projects.

• Spam email classifier
• Movie recommendation model
• Simple image recognition

Step 5: Build a Small Portfolio

Create beginner projects and share on:

• GitHub
• Kaggle
• LinkedIn 

A portfolio helps you get internships, freelance work, or remote jobs. 

Conclusion 

It might sound advanced, but the study of AI and ML can be begun by anyone, even with no background in coding or technical things. Simple basics, no-code tools to begin with, and then one could grow into coding if that's your career choice. With continuous learning, one can build real projects and enter with confidence into the world of artificial intelligence.