Why Everyone Needs to Learn to Code (Even Just a Bit)

In this episode of the Technocracy Podcast, Ajay Prakash and Loong Wang are joined by Kerman Kohli to explore the gritty realities of building with AI. From vibe coding disasters to data engineering struggles, they dive into what it really takes to be a modern AI engineer. Kerman shares his journey building a personal AI scheduling assistant—from breaking Google Calendar’s API to creating his own time-slot library and natural language date parser. This episode unpacks why building real AI tools isn’t as glamorous as it looks. They also discuss: - Why everyone might need to learn coding - The myth of AI replacing SaaS - How commoditized outputs unlock creativity - The rise of personal software -The unglamorous truth behind APIs, dates, and infrastructure - Why most AI demos break in the real world - And how the future belongs to those who know how to think, not just code. Whether you're a founder, engineer, or AI enthusiast—this one’s packed with brutally honest takes, practical advice, and future-forward insights. Check out Ajay’s Stuff: EntryLevel: https://entrylevel.net Website: https://ajays.quest Check out Loong’s Stuff: QDX: https://www.qdx.co/ Automera: https://automeratx.com/ 00:00 Introduction to AI and Coding 00:49 Exploring Image AI and Its Impact 02:11 The Evolution of Copywriting with AI 03:49 The Future of AI-Generated Content 04:41 Building Generative 3D Worlds 05:44 Personal AI Tutors and Skill Development 06:36 The Importance of Systematic Thinking in AI 11:20 Challenges in Data Engineering with AI 17:44 Developing Personal Software Solutions 20:11 The Journey of Building an AI-Powered Calendar App 31:10 The Value of Becoming a Software Engineer 32:02 Critical Thinking in Software Engineering 32:41 Building and Expressing Ideas Through Code 34:19 Navigating AI and Software Development 35:04 Creating Tools for AI Integration 39:19 Challenges in Date and Time Programming 45:03 The Future of AI and Software Development 52:18 Final Thoughts on AI and Personal Growth Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.