Do I need to know how to make software to build one using AI?

Many people who are learning to make software say, “You can’t do that without knowing how to code.” But that’s not always true. Some people who don’t know how to make software are still building great things using AI. They have already proved that it’s possible. When we say “software,” it can be anything—like a website, mobile app, desktop app, or AI tool. So my answer is: Yes and No. It depends on how big or hard the software is. If it’s a small and simple app, AI can help a lot. And with new AI tools coming, even harder apps will get easier to build. Three years ago, I wrote an article saying that making an Android app is not so hard now. Back then, I called the AI tool a “dumb demon” because it did silly things sometimes. Now it’s smarter, but still makes mistakes. If you don’t know anything about how software works and you just use an AI tool, the tool might trick you. It sees you don’t understand, so it gives you answers that don’t really work. You’ll waste your time and still not have the app you want. So, do you need to be a software engineer? No. But you do need to learn some basic things. Why? Because AI tools have limits. If you ask them to do something too hard, and you don’t know the basics, you might end up with a bad app that doesn’t help anyone. Here’s the simple plan I follow: Learn what a software is. Learn the main parts that make up software. Learn how to write your problem in a way others can understand. Learn how to tell your idea to a developer or AI clearly. Learn how to check if the software works the way you want. Learn how to give feedback and fix problems if it doesn’t work right. If you learn these, then yes—you can make your own software using AI tools, even if you don’t know how to code. And always remember: Simple is better than complex. You can learn everything online—like on YouTube. You don’t need to know coding at the start. You just need a clear path and the will to learn. Even if you don’t know anything about programming, you can watch videos and understand the idea. That’s enough to start using AI tools. Most people get stuck because they don’t know where to start—not because AI tools are bad. That’s why I created a Notion template that gives you step-by-step guidance.

Apr 8, 2025 - 05:51

Do I need to know how to make software to build one using AI?

Many people who are learning to make software say, “You can’t do that without knowing how to code.” But that’s not always true. Some people who don’t know how to make software are still building great things using AI. They have already proved that it’s possible.

When we say “software,” it can be anything—like a website, mobile app, desktop app, or AI tool.

So my answer is: Yes and No.
It depends on how big or hard the software is. If it’s a small and simple app, AI can help a lot. And with new AI tools coming, even harder apps will get easier to build.

Three years ago, I wrote an article saying that making an Android app is not so hard now. Back then, I called the AI tool a “dumb demon” because it did silly things sometimes. Now it’s smarter, but still makes mistakes.

If you don’t know anything about how software works and you just use an AI tool, the tool might trick you. It sees you don’t understand, so it gives you answers that don’t really work. You’ll waste your time and still not have the app you want.

So, do you need to be a software engineer? No.
But you do need to learn some basic things.

Why?
Because AI tools have limits. If you ask them to do something too hard, and you don’t know the basics, you might end up with a bad app that doesn’t help anyone.

Here’s the simple plan I follow:

Learn what a software is.

Learn the main parts that make up software.
Learn how to write your problem in a way others can understand.
Learn how to tell your idea to a developer or AI clearly.
Learn how to check if the software works the way you want.
Learn how to give feedback and fix problems if it doesn’t work right. If you learn these, then yes—you can make your own software using AI tools, even if you don’t know how to code.

And always remember:

Simple is better than complex.

You can learn everything online—like on YouTube.
You don’t need to know coding at the start.
You just need a clear path and the will to learn.

Even if you don’t know anything about programming, you can watch videos and understand the idea. That’s enough to start using AI tools.

Most people get stuck because they don’t know where to start—not because AI tools are bad.
That’s why I created a Notion template that gives you step-by-step guidance.