No coding skills needed! AI conference highlights how anyone can build chatbots

WASHINGTON (7News) — In the future, you’ll probably need some skills in Artificial Intelligence. A lot of companies will expect it, and it could impact how much you make as well. Thanks to AI, you don’t have to know how to code.

7News On Your Side’s Lindsey Mastis covers AI & Tech and recently created her own chatbot at Modev’s Voice & AI Conference.

The class began with the basics and then got to work. Noelle Russell, the CEO of the AI Leadership Institute, guides students through the process.

“I’m hoping people, first of all, will realize that it’s not magic. That at the end of the day, it’s a human. And now everyone in this room, regardless of their technical skills, now knows what it’s like to build a machine,” she said.

Mastis created a bot called the WJLA Café and was elated when it worked properly. Her bot is multilingual and even admits it’s a bot when asked.

SEE ALSO | Robot programmed to curse? New AI tool aids in customer service training

And despite this workshop being part of a conference for AI professionals, many people in the room have never coded.

Shanda Hunt and Irene Levintov said they operate in the AI governance space.

“Zero skills on building. Absolutely zero,” Hunt said.

“I can definitely go back to my kids and say ‘I can do something you can’t,’” Levintov said.

Russell said learning AI for yourself demystifies the technology.

“Every job is going to need people with AI skills. So I encourage everyone to go and build a system,” Russell said.

She said you can start at home by taking a picture of your pantry and asking AI to build a menu.

For more information on AI Leadership Institute, click here.