Why you need this
Learning AI feels overwhelming. There are endless courses, tutorials, tools, and concepts—but no clear path from beginner to proficient. People waste months jumping between random resources without a cohesive strategy, never gaining real competence.
The problem: Generic "learn AI" advice doesn't account for your background, goals, time constraints, or learning style. You need a personalized roadmap that takes you from where you are to where you want to be.
This planner solves that. It provides a framework for creating customized AI learning paths based on your role, experience level, and objectives—turning vague "I should learn AI" into actionable steps.
Perfect for:
- Professionals adding AI skills to advance careers
- Managers upskilling teams strategically
- Career changers entering AI-related roles
- Students planning AI education paths
What's inside
Learning Path Framework
Step 1: Assess Your Starting Point
- Current AI knowledge self-assessment
- Technical background evaluation (coding, data, math)
- Available time and commitment level
- Learning style preferences (hands-on, theoretical, project-based)
Step 2: Define Your Goals
- Career objectives (new role, promotion, entrepreneurship)
- Specific skills needed (prompting, ML fundamentals, AI strategy)
- Industry applications (healthcare AI, marketing AI, etc.)
- Timeline and milestones
Step 3: Choose Your Track
- Non-Technical Track: AI literacy, prompting, strategy, use case identification
- Technical Track: Python, ML fundamentals, model training, AI engineering
- Hybrid Track: Balance of concepts and hands-on technical skills
- Leadership Track: AI strategy, governance, team management, ROI evaluation
Learning Resources by Level:
Beginner (0-3 months):
- Core concepts: What is AI, LLMs, prompting basics
- Hands-on: Using ChatGPT, Claude, and other tools effectively
- Projects: Automate personal tasks, build prompt library
- Milestones: Complete 5 practical AI projects
Intermediate (3-9 months):
- Advanced prompting patterns and techniques
- Understanding model capabilities and limitations
- API integration and workflow automation
- Projects: Build AI-powered tools, automate business processes
Advanced (9+ months):
- Fine-tuning and model customization
- AI system architecture and design
- Responsible AI and governance
- Projects: Deploy production AI systems
Role-Specific Paths:
For Marketers:
→ Learn: Content generation, SEO with AI, campaign automation
→ Tools: ChatGPT, Jasper, Midjourney
→ Project: Create 30-day AI-assisted content calendar
For Developers:
→ Learn: GitHub Copilot, AI code review, API integration
→ Tools: Copilot, Claude, OpenAI API
→ Project: Build AI-powered app feature
For Product Managers:
→ Learn: AI capabilities, use case evaluation, roadmap planning
→ Tools: ChatGPT for research, prototyping tools
→ Project: Design AI feature and write spec
For Executives:
→ Learn: AI strategy, vendor evaluation, ROI analysis, governance
→ Tools: Decision frameworks, risk assessment
→ Project: Create organizational AI adoption plan
Study Plan Templates:
15 Minutes/Day Plan:
- Daily: Read one guide, practice one prompting technique
- Weekly: Complete one small project
- Monthly: Master one new AI tool
1 Hour/Day Plan:
- 30min: Structured learning (courses, reading)
- 30min: Hands-on practice (projects, experimentation)
Immersive Plan (Full-time):
- Week 1-2: Foundations
- Week 3-6: Hands-on technical skills
- Week 7-12: Build portfolio projects
Progress Tracking:
- Skill checkpoints: Self-assessment quizzes
- Project milestones: Demonstrate capabilities
- Portfolio building: Document your learning
- Adjustment triggers: When to pivot or go deeper
How to use it
- Career planning — Map 6-12 month AI upskilling journey
- Team development — Create department-specific learning paths
- Course selection — Filter resources by relevance to your path
- Progress measurement — Track milestones and adjust as needed
Example learning path
Profile: Marketing manager, non-technical, 30min/day, goal = AI-assisted content creation
Month 1: Foundations
- Week 1-2: Complete "AI Basics" and "Prompting 101" guides
- Week 3-4: Daily practice with ChatGPT for email, social posts
- Milestone: Generate week's content using AI
Month 2-3: Skill Building
- Learn advanced prompting patterns
- Experiment with Midjourney for visuals
- Build personal prompt template library
- Milestone: Launch AI-assisted campaign
Month 4-6: Mastery
- Automate repetitive content workflows
- Train team on best practices
- Develop content quality standards
- Milestone: 50% time savings on content creation
Want to go deeper?
This planner provides the framework. Start learning with:
- Learning Paths — Curated sequences of guides
- Guide: AI at Work Basics — Foundation for any path
- Resource: AI Onboarding Kit — Team training
License & Attribution
This resource is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 (CC-BY). You're free to:
- Customize for your learning goals
- Share with teams and colleagues
- Adapt for organizational training
Just include this attribution:
"AI Learning Path Planner" by Field Guide to AI (fieldguidetoai.com) is licensed under CC BY 4.0
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