Artificial Intelligence is transforming industries, but many senior IT professionals struggle to find suitable learning resources. Most AI courses are designed for students or junior professionals, leaving experienced leaders at a disadvantage. These seasoned experts often resort to generic online courses or overly mathematical training that doesn’t address their specific needs.
This gap poses essential questions: How can they grasp AI’s latest trends, like Generative AI and large language models, without going through unnecessary prerequisites? Without a dedicated approach to learning AI, what potential can be missed?
Recognising this void, a startup named AI ML etc. emerged, focusing solely on equipping senior IT professionals with relevant, condensed AI knowledge. Founded by Nikhilesh Tayal, this platform aims to simplify complex AI topics, making them both accessible and practical for those in leadership roles.
We did an interview to find out more about how this innovative education model is tailored specifically for professionals ready to evolve in today’s tech landscape.
What is AI ML etc?
AI ML etc. is an educational platform designed specifically for senior IT professionals seeking to enhance their understanding of artificial intelligence. This platform is tailored to meet the unique needs of experienced leaders who require practical knowledge without getting bogged down in theoretical mathematics. By focusing on relevant AI topics, AI ML etc. aims to bring its audience up to speed with contemporary advancements, such as Generative AI and Large Language Models.
Traditional educational offerings generally cater to students or those new to the field, leaving a gap for those who already possess a wealth of experience. AI ML etc. addresses this gap by creating concise, targeted courses that allow experienced professionals to learn efficiently without unnecessary prerequisites. For instance, it offers insights into real-world AI applications, ensuring that participants can directly relate their learning to their work environment.
What sets AI ML etc. apart is its commitment to bridging the knowledge divide. The courses cover not only the technical aspects of AI but also essential management considerations like AI security, regulations, and team-building strategies. This comprehensive approach enables senior professionals to grasp AI’s intricacies while aligning with their leadership roles in their organisations. Through this model, AI ML etc. provides a necessary resource for those ready to navigate the evolving landscape of technology.
AI ML etc. Founders
Nikhilesh Tayal stands at the helm of AI ML etc., bringing a wealth of experience and a keen understanding of the educational landscape for senior IT professionals. His journey began in 2011 when he started on his startup path. He successfully raised funds for his first venture before leading the second startup to profitability, achieving revenue of INR 2 crore. This foundation laid the ground for his current endeavour, which seeks to fill a noticeable gap in AI education.
With a teaching background stretching back to 2005, Nikhilesh’s passion for educating others has evolved throughout his career. He initially taught mathematics to 12th-grade students before branching into marketing and sales instruction for MBA candidates. Over the years, he transitioned to teaching digital marketing to working professionals, further refining his communication skills and appeal to various audiences. This flair for education naturally fed into his interest in artificial intelligence, which he explored through online courses, including Andrew Ng’s famed rapid training.
The early days of AI ML etc. echoed the excitement and challenge typical for a startup. Nikhilesh recognised the barrier many senior IT professionals faced when attempting to grasp AI concepts tailored to their level of expertise. Following insightful interactions during tech talks, where professionals articulated their frustrations—questions about learning AI without a heavy reliance on mathematics or the relevance of certain topics—he realised the necessity for specialised courses. The landscape of existing offerings left something to be desired, particularly for seasoned leaders seeking a broader understanding of AI that encompassed both technical and managerial elements.
The platform took shape through innovative approaches like free webinars on Generative AI, paving the way for increased interest and enrolments. Unlike typical courses that drilled into mathematical foundations and targeted students or junior professionals, AI ML etc. focused on delivering concentrated, useful insights directly applicable to senior professionals, addressing both the technical side of AI and essential leadership topics. This separation marks AI ML etc. as a promising venture in a niche that needs accurate and practical educational resources, tailored to the needs of experienced IT leaders seeking to enhance their skills in the face of a rapidly changing technological landscape.
Interview with Nikhilesh Tayal, Founder of AI ML etc.
I recently had the chance to sit with Nikhilesh Tayal, the founder of AI ML etc., to dig deeper into his vision and the journey of his unique educational platform. Here’s what transpired in our insightful discussion:
Q: What inspired you to venture into this particular industry?
A: I have been teaching various subjects to different people since 2005. Initially, I taught Maths to class 12th students, then Marketing and Sales to MBA students, and later Digital Marketing to working professionals. This journey gave me a flair for teaching. Over time, I learned AI through Andrew Ng’s courses and other online resources.
Notably, while learning AI, I realised that many concepts could be simplified. I began by simplifying AI and Large Language Model (LLM) concepts and held AI classes for engineering colleges. Through tech talks attended by senior professionals, I noticed queries like, “Can AI be learned without Maths?” or “How long does it take to learn AI?” This experience highlighted the gap in courses specifically tailored for senior professionals, prompting me to build dedicated courses for them.
Q: Can you share some details about the early days of your startup?
A: The initial phase of AI ML etc. involved acquiring users, which we did by conducting free webinars on Generative AI. These sessions sparked interest among participants, leading to increased enrolments once they saw the quality of our content.
Q: How does your startup differentiate itself from competitors?
A: The existing courses in the market primarily target students and junior professionals, often spending a lot of time on Maths and Statistics and lacking in coverage of latest topics like Generative AI and LLMs. Our courses are designed to address the specific needs of senior IT professionals. They are concise and focus on practical and management topics such as AI security, regulations, how to build AI teams, and real use cases in business. Our aim is to provide knowledge that is both deep in key technical areas and broad enough to include essential managerial aspects.
Q: What are your startup’s plans for the future?
A: The bigger vision for AI ML etc. is to become a comprehensive upskilling platform for senior professionals. We plan to expand our offerings to include multiple technology and leadership courses, providing a one-stop solution for continuous professional development.
Q: Let’s talk revenue. How much does your startup make per month and what’s your customer base like?
A: Currently, AI ML, etc., generates around USD 600 per month, with an average of one customer per month. We are seeing a 20% year-on-year growth rate.
Q: What advice do you have for aspiring entrepreneurs looking to start their own business?
A: Patience and resilience are more important than money and technology. Persevere through the ups and downs, and stay committed to your vision.
Feedough’s Take on AI ML etc.
AI ML etc. hits a sweet spot for senior IT professionals seeking to enhance their AI skills without getting mired in irrelevant theoretical depth. This tailored educational model is not just timely but necessary. It’s particularly commendable how the courses focus on real applications and management strategies, crucial for leaders needing to link new tech insights to business outcomes.
As this platform evolves, maintaining this blend of practicality with cutting-edge topics will be vital moving forward. A suggestion would be to continuously adapt and expand course offerings to include emerging AI technologies and methodologies, ensuring learners remain at the forefront of tech advancements.
AI ML etc. is well-positioned to play a pivotal role in reshaping professional development for senior IT names in various industries. Expect it to be a game-changer in specialised IT education, well-tailored to meet the disruption and challenges of tomorrow’s tech world.
A startup consultant, digital marketer, traveller, and philomath. Aashish has worked with over 20 startups and successfully helped them ideate, raise money, and succeed. When not working, he can be found hiking, camping, and stargazing.