Master AI in 2025

Hey there,

Liam here, and today I want to share something incredibly valuable with you:

A comprehensive roadmap for developers to master AI and capitalize on this massive opportunity.

I've turned my self-taught development skills into a multi-seven figure AI empire in under two years.

From building an AI development company to launching an AI SaaS and even AI consulting services, I've done it all.

And here's the kicker - I'm not even the most experienced developer. 

I have no degree and no formal experience in a development role.

But over the past two years, I've figured out the best ways to monetize my skills in the AI age.

And if I can do it, so can you - especially if you're already an experienced developer.

I've surveyed the top-performing developers across my 40,000-strong community and uncovered what they wish they had known before diving into AI.

I've distilled those lessons into three proven paths that will help you sidestep the most common pitfalls and fast-track your AI success.

Whether you're looking for a higher-paying job, more freedom as a freelancer, or want to start your own AI business, this roadmap will show you exactly how to do it using those three paths.

Let's dive in.

The AI Opportunity

Before we jump into the three main paths, let's make it clear why AI is the best vehicle right now for you to get more out of your life and career as a developer.

The AI market is expected to grow to 20 times its current size by 2030, hitting nearly 2 trillion in total value.

As Warren Buffett says, "It's not about how hard you row, it's about the boat that you're in." 

And right now, AI is the boat to be in.

Developers who are getting into AI are riding this wave to higher-paying jobs, exciting projects at work, and new business ventures and startups.

But here's the thing - you don't need years of training to get into AI anymore.

Tools like OpenAI's pre-trained models and no-code platforms have made AI more accessible than ever.

A great example is Will, a member of my accelerator who landed a job for $250,000 per year at an AI voice startup called Thoughtly as their Chief Solutions Engineer. Will isn't a developer and has never learned to code. He built all of his skills using only the tools that are now available.

My point is that AI is more accessible than ever, and any experienced developer is just a few weeks of focused learning away from being able to start capitalizing on this moment in time and getting ahead of the curve.

The Three Paths to AI Success

1. The Nine to Fiver

If you prefer the stability or comfort of a traditional job but want better pay or more exciting work, the nine to fiver route could be perfect for you. You don't need to launch a new startup or completely reinvent yourself to take advantage of this AI boom.

AI-focused roles in the development world are paying significantly more these days. Entry-level AI engineers at top companies are starting around $224,000, with senior roles going up to more than a million dollars in comp, plus stocks and bonuses.

Not only does the AI development skillset make you a much more desirable hire for the foreseeable future, but you also get to solve real problems. Generative AI is a new frontier of innovation, completely reshaping certain industries and business processes.

Goal: Get a higher-paying and more exciting role in the AI space.

2. The Freelancer

The freelancer path is for people who value freedom and flexibility more than a traditional office job. They want to control their own projects, schedule, and ultimately, their lifestyle.

Demand for AI developers is through the roof. My own AI automation agency has received thousands of project requests over the past 18 months alone. In my free community, 61% of the recent posts in the hiring or for-hire channel were from businesses or individuals actively looking to hire AI development talent.

Beyond just development services, freelancing isn't just about taking on project work. You can also set your own rates and build multiple income streams, like consulting or coaching.

Goal: Make enough money to quit your job and work for yourself from anywhere in the world.

3. The Founder

This path is for developers who want more than just a job or a contract for a client. They want to build something of their own. If you're entrepreneurial, now is the perfect time to consider making that jump and becoming a founder.

AI is attracting everyone right now, meaning you have thousands of expert business people and marketers with multimillion-dollar ideas and the means to market those ideas effectively, who are desperately searching for technical partners to bring their product ideas to life.

While the typical "build an AI startup" route has its appeal, there's a faster way to get into AI business: the AI automation agency model. Think of this as a modern version of a web development agency, but specifically for AI, building AI systems for businesses.

Goal: Partner with an entrepreneur or marketer who has a validated idea, connections, and sales expertise needed to take this to market, but lacks the technical expertise and needs a partner to build it with.

The Learning Phase

Once you've chosen your path, it's time to level up with the right skills to get into the AI space. Learning AI is a lot simpler than it looks, especially for developers who already have the foundational knowledge to excel in AI. It's just a case of adding the right skills on top of what you already know.

Here are the core areas you need to focus on:

1. Prompt Engineering: Mastering prompts is the foundation of the AI technology we work with these days. With the right prompt engineering techniques, you can reliably transform large amounts of data and get the results you need at scale.

2. No-code and Low-code Tools: Platforms like VoiceFlow and Zapier have come a long way. They're excellent for prototyping and building out core functionality quickly. Custom-coded features can be added for more advanced things as needed.

3. Advanced Tools: Once you've got the basics of prompt engineering and no-code/low-code tools, dive into advanced libraries like LangChain or Lama Index and learn to build with vector databases.

4. Community: Surrounding yourself with other AI-focused developers is one of the fastest ways to pick up new skills and stay up to date on where the current tech is moving.

The Apply Phase

Once you've built up your skills, the next step is to get some real-world experience. The best place to find opportunities is in online communities where AI enthusiasts and professionals gather. My free Skool community is the largest AI community on Skool, with over 50,000 members.

Here's how you can start applying your skills:

1. Set up your profile within the community to make it clear that you're an AI developer ready to help.

2. Offer free value up front. Answer questions, make posts, explain complex AI concepts in simple terms, share tutorials on setting up useful AI systems.

3. Start taking on real projects. By providing free help to people in the community, you'll find plenty of chances to dive into actual projects with them.

The Monetization Phase

Now it's time to monetize your skills and experience. Here's a brief overview of the monetization strategy for each path:

1. Nine to Fiver:

- Set up a personal brand website showcasing your AI projects and portfolio.
- Pitch your skills internally at your company.
- Apply to external roles if your current company doesn't have AI opportunities.
- Engage with AI startups directly through their communities.

2. Freelancer:

- Set up a personal brand site showcasing your AI project portfolio.
- Focus on getting clients from online communities.
- Create content to attract more work organically.
- Offer consulting services as a secondary income stream.

3. Founder:

- Create a personal brand site and portfolio showcasing your recent experience.
- Join top online AI communities attracting ideal co-founders.
- Stay active, sharing value to attract potential partners.
- Vet partnerships carefully, proposing short trial periods to work together.

Taking Action

Now that you have this roadmap, it's time to take action. Here's what you need to do:

1. Choose your path: Nine to Fiver, Freelancer, or Founder.

2. Start the learning phase: Focus on prompt engineering, no-code/low-code tools, advanced tools, and joining AI communities.

3. Apply your skills: Join online communities, offer free value, and take on real projects.

4. Monetize your skills: Follow the strategy for your chosen path.

Remember, consistency is key. Stick with this plan, and you'll be surprised by your results. It won't always be easy, but it will be well worth it.

That's all for this week. Now go build that AI career or business you've been dreaming of!

Keep going,

Liam 💪

P.S. I've put together a comprehensive set of resources to help you take action on everything you've learned today. You can access it in my free Skool community by clicking here. You'll find all the resources I've mentioned, including a link to a Figma board laying out all the pathways and resources, plus a comprehensive list of the best possible resources to get you through the learning phase as fast as possible.