Learn AI This Year! The 'One Crucial Preparation' That 90% of People Don't Know

Hello! I'm Koshi, an active infrastructure engineer who demystifies the 'why' behind AI technology.

Happy New Year 2026!

'I'm going to learn AI this year!'

I'm sure many of you have made that fresh resolution.

That sentiment is truly wonderful. However, don't you also feel a bit of anxiety?

'But where should I even start?'
'Programming seems difficult...'
'I might just end up quitting after three days like always...'

That intuition is, in a sense, correct.

In fact, there is a reality where 90% of people who aspire to learn AI give up before achieving any concrete results.

However, please rest assured. This failure is not a problem of your ability or motivation. It is simply a matter of not having completed the 'one crucial preparation' before touching AI.

In this article, the first of a three-part series, I will uncover the 'essential cause' of why many people fail at AI learning and share how to build an 'unshakable foundation' for you to master AI.

Roadmap to Becoming AI Talent: What Are You Aiming For?

Even if you say you are starting to learn AI, the goals are diverse.

First, let's share the overall picture (roadmap) we are aiming for. The level of AI mastery can be broadly divided into five stages.

• Lv0: Don't know AI: The stage where you do not yet understand the basic concepts or terminology of AI.

• Lv1: Know AI: The stage where you have basic knowledge of AI and understand its use cases in society.

• Lv2: Can use AI: The stage where you can introduce and utilize existing AI tools and services in your work.

• Lv3: Can create value with AI: The stage where you can solve concrete business problems and produce results by utilizing AI.

• Lv4: Can build AI: An expert who can develop advanced AI models and create new AI solutions.

In this three-day series, the goal is to first reach 'Lv2: Can use AI'.
We will put aside programming and difficult theories for now, and aim for a state where everyone can use AI as a 'convenient partner' in their daily lives.

Many of you may have been inspired by looking at this roadmap and thought, 'Alright, let's do it!'
However, before taking that first step, there is a 'major wall' that causes 90% of people to give up.

Why does your AI learning 'never last'?

The reason AI learning doesn't last is by no means complicated. The root cause almost always boils down to a 'matter of time'.

When we learn something new, we tend to think, 'I'll do it someday' or 'I'll do it in my spare time.' However, this is the biggest trap of all.

What are the 'three traps' that hinder AI learning?

1. The trap of being satisfied with creating a roadmap: You pour all your energy into creating a study plan, feel satisfied, and then fail to take actual action. The more perfect the plan, the higher the hurdle to execution.

2. The trap of the 'spare time' illusion: You try to study in small chunks of 5 or 10 minutes a day, but your concentration doesn't last, and in the end, you learn nothing. Understanding AI concepts and acquiring skills requires dedicated, uninterrupted thinking time.

3. The trap of ending up just gathering information: You feel satisfied just by following the latest AI tool information on social media or the news, and mistake being 'aware' for being 'capable'.

What these traps have in common is the misconception that 'AI learning can be treated at the same level as daily tasks.' Unlike checking emails or browsing social media, learning a new concept like AI requires intentionally secured 'dedicated time' and an 'environment where you can concentrate'.

What people who get results with AI 'threw away' first

So, what exactly is different about the people who master AI and get results?
It's not that they have special talents or more time than others. What they all have in common is the single fact that they 'threw something away and defended their study time at all costs'.

Here, let's look at the typical patterns of people who have achieved results in AI learning from the perspective of 'what they threw away'.

• Business professionals who want to maintain the status quo

  • Challenge: While feeling the need to learn new skills, they are chased by daily tasks and cannot take action.

  • What they threw away: 'Perfectionism' and 'socializing with colleagues.' By dedicating one hour after work to study, they achieved work efficiency and were entrusted with new projects.

• Homemakers with time constraints

  • Challenge: Chased by childcare and housework, it is difficult to secure time for themselves.

  • What they threw away: 'Sleeping in in the morning' and 'afternoon web surfing.' By securing 30 minutes in the early morning and one hour in the afternoon, they significantly reduced the burden of housework through AI-assisted meal planning and information gathering.

• Young employees worried about their careers

  • Challenge: Feeling vague anxiety about the future and sensing the need for skill improvement.

  • What they gave up: 'Weekend entertainment' and 'late-night social media.' By investing half of their weekend in learning, their AI-assisted document creation skills were recognized, and they were promoted to project leader.

• Seniors looking for new challenges

  • Challenge: Seeking new learning to enrich their life after retirement.

  • What they gave up: 'Watching TV, a long-standing habit.' By dedicating their daily prime time to learning, they found a new purpose in life as a local digital support advocate.

They are by no means special people. Just like you, while busy with their daily lives, they made the decision to 'learn AI' and had the courage to 'give up' something to achieve it.

3 steps to 'create time'

Now, it's your turn. We will introduce three concrete steps to break free from the illusion that 'you don't have time to learn AI' and create time with your own hands.

Step 1: Keep a 24-hour activity log

First, let's start by understanding your current situation. Try recording what you spend your time on for 24 hours, in 15-minute increments, for both weekdays and weekends. It is important to honestly write down even unconscious time, such as 'scrolling on my phone' or 'zoning out'.

Step 2: Decide 'what to stop'

Look back at your log and ask yourself, 'Is this really necessary for my life?' Then, create a 'what to stop = decluttering list' from three perspectives: 'things to reduce,' 'things to stop,' and 'things to delegate to others.'

Step 3: 'Deduct' learning time in advance

Finally, secure the time created by decluttering for AI learning in advance.
Just like saving money by deducting it from your salary, incorporate 'learning time' into your schedule at the start of the day.
We recommend the 'morning' time when no one can disturb you. Protecting this 'sanctuary' time is the biggest secret to continuing AI learning.

Summary: Before AI, first face your 'time'

Having read this far, you are effectively at the 'true starting line' for beginning your AI learning journey.

Many people are captivated by the glamorous topic of AI and neglect the unglamorous preparation of 'time management' that comes before it.
However, no matter how excellent the roadmap or how expensive the materials, they are just pie in the sky if you don't have the time to work on them.

Before learning AI, first become a person who can secure time.

This is the message we most want to convey through this three-part series.

Now, are you ready?

In tomorrow's article, we will finally take the concrete first step toward making AI your 'best partner' using the time you have secured.
Why not experience a completely new way of interacting with AI, where you give 'instructions' instead of asking 'questions'?

We look forward to seeing you here again tomorrow.

Koshi @ Active Infrastructure Engineer

I publish articles that unravel the "why" behind AI technology.
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