My AI Journey: From Zero Coding Experience to Leading Generative AI Projects — If I Can Do It, So Can You!

Lekha Priya
4 min readFeb 2, 2025

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I never imagined I’d be working in AI. In fact, if you had told me years ago that I’d be leading Generative AI projects today, I wouldn’t have believed you. I didn’t have a computer science degree. I had zero coding experience. But I had one thing — curiosity.

Curiosity led me to data, and data led me to technology. And that’s how my journey started.

💡 The Beginning: From Curiosity to Data

I started my career in a non-technical role, but I was always drawn to numbers and patterns. I wanted to understand how data could drive better decisions. That curiosity pushed me to explore tools like Excel and Power BI, and before I knew it, I was building dashboards that were actually being used to make important business decisions.

But I didn’t stop there. I wanted to do more. I wanted to predict outcomes, automate tasks, and make data work smarter. That’s when I took the leap into Python, SQL, and Machine Learning — one online course at a time, one project at a time.

Eventually, I decided to formalize my knowledge. I pursued a Postgraduate Diploma in Data Science, and that decision changed everything. It opened doors I never even knew existed. Soon after, I landed my first tech role as a Data Analyst Lead — a moment that felt like a massive breakthrough.

🚀 Breaking into AI & Machine Learning

As a Data Analyst, I automated workflows, reducing hours of manual effort into just minutes. That’s when I realized the true power of AI — when technology stops being just a tool and becomes an intelligent partner in problem-solving.

I started working on predictive models and NLP-based solutions in industries like healthcare, FMCG, and finance. Every project deepened my understanding of AI, and by 2018, I was leading my first end-to-end AI/ML project, building machine learning pipelines that optimized operations at scale.

I had finally transitioned into AI — but this was only the beginning.

🤖 The Generative AI Revolution (2021 — Present)

When the pandemic hit, businesses needed automation more than ever. I shifted my focus to AI-driven automation, leveraging AWS and Azure to build intelligent systems that transformed business operations.

Then came Generative AI — a game-changer. By 2023, I was leading projects that pushed the boundaries of AI innovation, including:
Medical Document Summarization — Using OpenAI APIs to extract key insights from complex reports.
AI-driven Workflow Automation — Leveraging LangChain & Azure OpenAI to streamline business processes.
Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) — Creating domain-specific AI solutions that bridge the gap between LLMs and real-world data.

This wasn’t just career growth — it was impact at scale. And I wasn’t just building AI systems; I was mentoring others to do the same.

🏆 Key Achievements & Why This Matters

Today, I hold a leadership position in Generative AI.
I’ve had the honor of winning Best Research Paper Award at IEEE CCEM for my work in LLM-based innovations.
I’ve spoken at global AI forums like WiDS & GHCI, inspiring and mentoring professionals worldwide.
And perhaps the achievement I’m proudest of — I’ve spent 1,000+ hours mentoring & training professionals in AI.

But the truth is, this isn’t just about my journey.

It’s about showing you that you can do this too.

📣 If I Can Do It, So Can You!

I didn’t start with a technical background. I didn’t have an Ivy League degree. I didn’t have mentors guiding me in the beginning.

But what I did have was determination, self-learning, and persistence — and that was enough.

So if you’re thinking about stepping into AI & STEM, remember this:
You don’t need a traditional background to start.
Self-learning & real-world projects can take you far.
The AI industry needs diverse minds — yours included.

And I want to help.

🚀 That’s why I’m launching my YouTube channel, Agentomatic — where I’ll be sharing:
🎥 Real-world AI projects
📊 Career insights & mentorship
🛠️ Hands-on AI & automation tutorials

📩 I also offer 1:1 mentorship to help professionals transition into AI & ML. If you’re interested, let’s connect!

Drop a comment if you’re on a similar journey or if you need guidance — I’d love to hear your story! Let’s build the future of AI together. 👇

#AI #GenerativeAI #Automation #MachineLearning #STEM #CareerGrowth

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Lekha Priya
Lekha Priya

Written by Lekha Priya

Specializing in Azure-based AI, Generative AI, and ML. Passionate about scalable models, workflows, and cutting-edge AI innovations. Follow for AI insights.

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