Getting Started
Ready to begin? Here's your path forward.
Step 1: Self-Assessment
Review the AI Periodic Table and honestly assess where you are today.
Ask yourself:
- Can you explain each element in Row 1 (Primitives)?
- Have you built anything with Row 2 (Compositions) elements?
- Could you deploy a Row 3 (Deployment) system to production?
- Are you tracking developments in Row 4 (Emerging) technologies?
This self-assessment helps you understand your starting point and—more importantly—identify your unknown unknowns. There's no judgment here. Everyone starts somewhere, and the gaps you discover are opportunities, not failures.
Step 2: Start with Foundation
Everyone benefits from Foundation, regardless of experience.
Even if you've built AI systems before, working through Foundation ensures we have a common vocabulary and shared mental model across the team. You might discover gaps you didn't know you had, or you might confirm your understanding and move quickly through.
The Foundation tier focuses on:
- Understanding core AI concepts (LLMs, embeddings, prompts)
- Knowing when and why to apply different techniques
- Building effective prompts with structured approaches
- Understanding the safety and evaluation landscape
Step 3: Build Your Portfolio as You Learn
Don't wait until you feel "ready" to start documenting your AI work.
Every time you use AI effectively in your job, make a note:
- What problem were you solving?
- What approach did you take?
- What worked? What didn't?
- What would you do differently?
Every experiment, every prompt iteration, every lesson learned—these become your portfolio. The best portfolios are built over time, not crammed at the end.
Use the portfolio templates to structure your documentation. They're designed to capture the learning, not just the outcome.
Step 4: Connect with Others
Learning is faster with others.
- Find colleagues at your level to study together and share discoveries
- Ask questions of those ahead of you—they were in your position recently
- Share what you learn—teaching reinforces understanding
When you reach Practitioner and Expert levels, mentoring others becomes part of the growth path. But informal mentoring can start anytime. If you figure something out, share it. If you're stuck, ask.
Learning AI Starts With You
Every expert was once a beginner. Every complex system is built from simple elements.
Read the periodic table, identify where you are, and take the next step.
The path is clear. The resources are here. The only thing left is to begin.
Quick Links
| Resource | Description |
|---|---|
| AI Periodic Table | The full mental model with all 20 elements |
| Foundation Tier | Start here—core concepts and vocabulary |
| Practitioner Tier | Build and deploy AI features |
| Expert Tier | Architect systems and lead others |
| Portfolio Templates | Document your learning |
Questions?
Reach out to your team lead or anyone you see further along. We're all learning together.