Q: What if I've never used Python, or my skills are rusty?

Neither one is a blocker. They're just different starting lines.

If you're rusty (you coded years ago, or Python isn't your daily language), the gap is smaller than it feels. AI engineering uses a modest slice of Python: functions, lists and dictionaries, calling APIs, installing packages. A focused refresher covers that in days, and building your first AI project rebuilds the muscle faster than any standalone course.

If you've programmed in another language but never Python, you're in even better shape: you already think in the right structures and you're translating syntax, not learning to program.

If you've never programmed at all, be honest with yourself: you're taking on two journeys, learning to program and learning the AI stack, and the first one is the bigger of the two. It's definitely do-able, but plan for extra months, start with Python fundamentals before touching AI, and expect the early weeks to feel slow.