What Languages Do
AI Engineers Need?
The short answer: Python is essential, JavaScript helps with web integration, Go and Rust are optional for performance work.
But learning languages in the wrong order wastes months of your time.
AI Native Engineer Community Access
You Know You Need Programming Languages.
But Which Ones Should You Learn First?
You keep switching between Python tutorials, JavaScript courses, and Rust guides. Analysis paralysis is real and you have made no meaningful progress.
You spent months learning a language that turned out to be irrelevant for AI work. Now you are starting over with Python and feeling behind.
Job postings list 5-7 languages as requirements. You have no idea if they actually need all of them or if it is just wish list padding.
Here's the Language Priority Stack for 2026
The AI Career Accelerator
I've hired AI engineers and reviewed hundreds of job applications. Here's what companies actually require versus what is nice to have.
Master Python First
95% of AI work happens in Python. Get solid here before anything else.
Add JavaScript for Web Integration
Build frontends and APIs for your AI systems to be production-ready.
Optional: Go or Rust for Performance
Only if targeting infrastructure or performance-critical roles.
Meet Your Mentor
When I started in tech, I was based in the Netherlands with no connections and only thousands of video game hours under my belt. Not exactly the ideal starting point.
My first tech job was software tester. One of the most junior roles you can start with. I was just happy someone took a chance on me.
I kept learning. Kept pivoting. But what actually accelerated my career wasn't more certifications or more code. It was learning to solve problems that matter and proving beyond a doubt that what I built solved real problems. That's the skill that stays future-proof, even with AI.
I've since worked remotely for international software companies throughout my career. Proof that the high-paid remote path is possible for anyone with the right skills and motivation. In the end, I went from a $500/month internship to 6 figures as a Senior AI Engineer at GitHub.
Now I teach over 22,000 engineers on YouTube. Becoming an AI-Native Engineer is a system I lived through and offer to you today.
Real Results
Vittor
AI Engineer
Landed his first AI Engineering role in 3 months
"The coaching played a huge part in my success. I focused on AI fundamentals, the certification path, and soft skills like professional writing. Having access to expert guidance gave me confidence during interviews and helped me feel I was on the right path.
I built my own platform (simple but functional) and deployed it on AWS. I used it in my portfolio and showcased it during interviews. The way complex topics were explained, especially the restaurant analogy for AI systems, really stuck with me. Focusing on doing the basics well was absolutely essential."
What You Will Get
Personalized Roadmap & Career Strategy
A custom plan tailored to your background, goals, and timeline. No generic advice.
Weekly 1:1 Coaching Calls
Direct access to Zen for guidance, project feedback, and answers to your questions.
Portfolio-Ready AI Projects
Build production-grade AI applications to showcase to employers. Work that gets you hired.
Interview Prep & Mock Interviews
Practice technical and behavioral interviews. Learn what hiring managers look for.
Resume & LinkedIn Optimization
Transform your online presence to attract recruiters. Stand out from other applicants.
Community Career Support
Join the AI Native Engineer community. Not seeing results yet? You stay and keep going. We're with you through the ups and downs.
While You Debate Which Language to Learn, Others Are Building AI Systems
Every month you delay can cost you thousands in lost earning potential. While you're watching tutorials, others are landing $120K+ AI Engineering roles.
I can only work with a limited number of 1:1 clients at a time to ensure you get the personalized attention you deserve.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Python alone enough for AI engineering?
For most AI engineering roles, yes. Python dominates the AI ecosystem: LangChain, LlamaIndex, HuggingFace, OpenAI SDK, and most AI frameworks are Python-first. You can build complete AI systems, including APIs with FastAPI, without touching other languages. Add more languages only when specific roles require them.
Do I need JavaScript for AI engineering?
It depends on your target roles. For backend AI engineering, Python is sufficient. For full-stack AI products, JavaScript or TypeScript helps you build user interfaces and integrate with web applications. Many AI startups want engineers who can build end-to-end, which means Python for AI logic and JavaScript for frontends.
When should I learn Go or Rust for AI work?
Only after you are job-ready with Python. Go is useful for building high-performance APIs and microservices. Rust matters for inference optimization and systems-level AI infrastructure. These are specializations, not requirements. Most AI engineers never need them.
How long to learn Python well enough for AI engineering?
4-8 weeks for someone with any programming background. 8-12 weeks for complete beginners. Focus on practical Python: functions, classes, APIs, async programming, package management. You do not need to be a Python expert. Intermediate skills combined with AI domain knowledge is what employers want.
How much time do I need to commit?
Most clients invest 10-15 hours per week, but this can be flexible based on your schedule. We'll have weekly 1:1 calls plus time for you to work on projects and learning. The key is consistency. Regular, focused effort beats occasional marathons.
Can I do this while working full-time?
Absolutely. Most of my clients work full-time and make steady progress. We'll schedule calls at times that work for you and create a realistic plan that fits your schedule. Consistency matters more than intensity.
Do I need prior AI experience?
Not necessarily. While some programming experience is helpful, many of my clients have successfully transitioned from web development, data science, or other technical backgrounds. We'll assess your current skills during our strategy call and create a personalized plan that meets you where you are.
What if I don't land interviews in 90 days?
You become a member of the AI Native Engineer community, and you stay and keep going. Career transitions take different amounts of time for everyone, and I'm not going to abandon you if things take longer. You get ongoing support through good times and bad.
How is this different from online courses?
Online courses give you content. 1:1 coaching gives you a personalized roadmap, direct feedback on your work, career strategy, interview prep, and accountability. You get answers to your specific questions and guidance tailored to your unique situation instead of generic advice meant for everyone.
What's the investment for 1:1 coaching?
Investment details are discussed during the 30-minute strategy call, where we'll assess your goals and create a custom plan. The program is designed to pay for itself quickly through your increased salary. Most AI engineers see a 20-50% pay increase.
What about Java, C++, or other languages for AI?
Java appears in enterprise AI roles, especially at large corporations. C++ matters for ML infrastructure and model optimization, not typical AI engineering. SQL is technically a language and very useful for data work. But none of these should be your starting point. Python first, always.
Ready to Land Your AI Role?
Stop watching others succeed. Start building your AI career today.
30-minute strategy call • Limited spots available