AI Prep Cohort I: Pre-Work Guide
Welcome to the AI Prep Cohort! This guide outlines the essential pre-work to help you prepare for our upcoming hands-on course. By completing these activities, you'll arrive ready to maximize your learning experience and start building with AI tools right away. Let's get you set up for success!
Submit Your Initial Idea & Commitment Statement
Your AI PREP journey is about to begin! To secure your place in the program, we require two important steps: submitting your initial project idea and reviewing and agreeing to the Commitment Statement. This process aligns expectations and prepares you for the exciting challenge of building with AI.
Start Here
Explore AI Building Tools
Familiarizing yourself with AI development platforms before our first session will give you a valuable head start. We recommend exploring these user-friendly tools that are specifically designed for non-technical builders:
Replit
Our recommended platform for most participants. Replit provides an intuitive environment for building functional applications without deep technical knowledge. It combines coding capabilities with AI assistance that helps you turn ideas into working prototypes.
Lovable.dev
An alternative platform worth exploring that offers a simplified approach to building apps with AI assistance. Particularly good for visual builders who prefer a more design-oriented approach.
Bolt.new
Another option in the no-code/low-code AI development space. Provides an accessible entry point for building simple applications quickly.
While we won't force you to use any particular platform, our curriculum is optimized for Replit as we've found it provides the best balance of power and accessibility for non-technical founders.
Understanding "Vibe Coding"
Before our first session, please review Replit's article on "vibe coding" — a term that, despite its somewhat quirky name, represents a fundamental shift in how non-developers can now build software.
This approach leverages AI to translate your intentions and descriptions into functional code, effectively lowering the technical barrier to building working applications. Understanding this concept will help frame your expectations for what's possible during our cohort.
"Vibe coding isn't about knowing how to code - it's about knowing what you want to build and being able to describe it clearly."
Thinking Like a Manager in the AI Era
One of the most critical mindset shifts for success in our cohort is understanding how to position yourself as a manager of AI tools rather than trying to become a technical expert yourself. Please review the recommended article that explains this approach in detail.
Focus on Strategic Thinking
Your unique value comes from your domain expertise, creativity, and strategic vision - not technical implementation details.
Delegate Technical Tasks to AI
Learn to give clear instructions to AI tools to handle the technical heavy lifting while you focus on the "what" and "why".
Verify and Refine
Develop skills to evaluate AI outputs and guide iterations toward your desired outcome.
Course Preparation Checklist
To ensure you get the most from our hands-on sessions, please come prepared with the following essentials:
Laptop Computer
You'll need a laptop with a modern web browser (Chrome recommended) and reliable internet connection. Make sure your device is fully charged or bring a power adapter.
Notepad & Pen
While much of our work will be digital, having a physical notepad for quick sketches, notes, and ideation can be invaluable. Many participants find this helps with creative thinking.
Your Submitted Idea
Be ready to discuss and develop the idea you submitted to the database. Consider bringing any related research or materials that might be helpful.
Questions List
Start a running list of specific questions or topics you're hoping to address during the cohort. This helps us tailor content to your needs.
Additional Learning Resources
For those who want to go the extra mile before our first session, here are some optional resources that provide valuable context for our work together:
Video Tutorials
  • Aura Chat + Lovable Demo - A practical demonstration showing how these tools can be used to build applications quickly
  • Replit AI Assistant Tutorial - Learn how to effectively prompt Replit's AI assistant
  • Prompt Engineering Basics - Understand how to effectively communicate with AI tools
Tailoring the Course to Your Needs
The AI Prep Cohort is specifically designed to address the unique needs of the Louisville ecosystem. We want to ensure the content is relevant to your specific challenges and opportunities.
Active Participation
Don't hesitate to speak up during sessions! Your questions and input help shape the learning experience for everyone and ensure we're covering what matters most to you.
Topic Requests
If there are specific aspects of AI development you're eager to learn about, let us know ahead of time so we can incorporate them into our sessions.
Feedback Loop
We'll regularly solicit feedback throughout the cohort to make real-time adjustments to our curriculum. Your input directly influences what we cover next.

Remember: There are no "stupid questions" in our cohort. If you're wondering about something, chances are others are too! Our goal is to create a supportive environment where everyone feels comfortable asking for clarification.
Getting Started Today
Don't wait until the first day of the cohort to begin your AI journey. Here's a simple action plan you can start right now:
01
Submit Your Idea
Take 15 minutes to fill out the idea submission form. Don't worry about perfection - this is just your starting point.
02
Create Accounts
Sign up for Replit and at least one other tool mentioned in the resources. Familiarize yourself with the interfaces.
03
Read Key Articles
Review the recommended readings on vibe coding and managing AI tools to understand the core concepts.
04
Try a Simple Build
Attempt to create something small with Replit - even just a simple webpage or calculator. Experience the process before our first session.
We're excited to see what you'll build in our upcoming cohort! The AI revolution is creating unprecedented opportunities for non-technical founders to bring their ideas to life. By completing this pre-work, you're taking the first steps toward becoming an effective builder in this new landscape.
See you soon!