Embracing AI: My Journey with Google’s New AI Model

Over the past two weekends, I’ve had the unique opportunity to explore Google’s latest AI model, and it has left me feeling both awestruck and apprehensive.

A Little About Me

Allow me to introduce myself: I am a civil engineer, specializing in design and project management, without any formal training in coding or computer science. However, I recently signed up for a complimentary student license for the new Google AI model, intrigued to see how accessible it would be for someone like me.

The Challenge

I set out with a straightforward goal: to determine whether a non-coder could leverage this advanced technology to create a simple application for tracking my small-scale projects. While there are existing software solutions that meet my needs, I wanted to develop a tool that reflected my personal preferences—nothing elaborate, just some charts and financial tracking abilities to monitor project health.

An Unexpected Experience

Last weekend, I dedicated nearly eight hours to delving into this AI-driven platform. To my surprise, I found myself engaging with the model as if it were a team of developers. Remarkably, it was able to generate entire code snippets, guide me on which programs to download, and instruct me on where to place the coding elements.

I was genuinely impressed by my own achievement—creating a functional program from scratch without any prior coding knowledge. While the application is not flawless, it serves my needs effectively; it works the way I envisioned.

The Cautionary Note

Yet, alongside my excitement, I feel a sense of trepidation. The rapid advancement of AI models like this one raises questions about their potential implications. As these technologies continue to evolve and refine themselves, it’s hard to ignore the challenges and ethical considerations they may bring along.

Looking Ahead

In the week ahead, I plan to embark on further development, aiming to create additional small-scale applications. The possibilities seem endless, and I’m eager to explore just how much I can accomplish with this extraordinary tool.

As I navigate this journey, I welcome any advice or insights from fellow enthusiasts. If you have experience with AI applications or coding, I’d love to hear your thoughts!

Feel free to share your experiences or suggestions in the comments below!