From Full Stack Developer
to AI Engineer
You build complete applications from database to UI.
Add AI capabilities and become the rare engineer who can ship AI products end-to-end.
You Build Apps.
But AI Feels Like a Different World.
AI tutorials dive into ML math and neural networks when you just want to add AI features to your apps.
You feel overwhelmed by AI/ML theory and wonder if you need to learn data science from scratch.
You can build any web app but have no idea how to integrate LLMs, embeddings, or AI APIs into your stack.
Full Stack Skills Are Perfect for AI Apps.
The World-Class AI Engineer Cohort
Modern AI engineering is about building AI-powered applications, not training models. You already know databases, APIs, frontend, and deployment. The AI layer is just another integration. Your ability to ship complete products is exactly what AI teams need in 2026.
Learn AI Integration
LLM APIs, embeddings, vector databases
Build AI Features
Add AI to your existing stack knowledge
Ship AI Products
Complete applications with AI capabilities
Meet Your Mentor
My aim has been the same for years: become a world-class AI engineer. Every career move I've made has been measured against that.
I started as a software tester on a $500/month internship in the Netherlands. Taught myself to code, learned to ship real systems, and worked my way to Senior Engineer at GitHub.
Then I left GitHub. I joined an AI research lab as Member of Technical Staff, where I currently build products for secure AI monitoring.
The cohort draws directly from my real experience so you can make progress fast.
I run this special cohort with only a few people because hands-on work with me is what it takes to bring you to become a world-class AI engineer.
Real Results
Vittor
AI Engineer
Built and deployed his portfolio piece, then landed the AI role
"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
8 Weekly Tuesday Sessions
3 hours each for 24 live hours total.
Project Scoping at Kickoff
We set the scope of what you'll ship and the milestones to get there before the live sessions start.
Code Reviews
Reviews of your code from Zen during the cohort.
Lifetime Demo Access
Every architecture demo is recorded and yours to keep.
Demo Day
You present what you built and get feedback from Zen, with a recording you can use in your portfolio.
12 Months Community Access
Included with the cohort.
Full Stack AI Engineers Are in High Demand
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are full stack developers well-suited for AI engineering?
AI products need complete systems: frontend interfaces for users, backend APIs to call models, databases for context, and deployment infrastructure. Full stack developers already build all of these. You understand the entire application lifecycle. Most AI specialists only know the model layer. You can ship the complete product. Companies desperately need engineers who can build AI features end-to-end without requiring three separate specialists.
What AI skills do full stack developers need to add?
The good news: you do not need to become a data scientist. Focus on: (1) LLM APIs like OpenAI, Anthropic, and local models, (2) Prompt engineering and context management, (3) Vector databases for semantic search and RAG, (4) Streaming responses and real-time AI features. Your existing skills in React, Node.js, Python, databases, and deployment cover 70% of AI engineering. The AI-specific additions take 8-12 weeks with focused effort.
How much time will this take?
You'll spend 3 hours every Tuesday in the live session and roughly 3 hours of async work in between, for 8 weeks. The Tuesday session time is fixed.
I've signed up for cohorts before and dropped out. How is this different?
It probably isn't, and you should hold the money. Most cohort dropouts are people who couldn't articulate what they were shipping when they signed up. That's why the consult exists, and why I turn down most applications. If we get on the call and you can't tell me what you'll have shipped at the end of week 8, I'll point you to the AI Native Engineer community until you can.
I'm not pivoting careers. I want to build a product. Does this still work?
Yes, the cohort works for people shipping their first serious AI system whether the goal is to land a senior role or to launch a product. The shipped system serves both equally well.
Do I need prior AI experience?
You need to be able to code in Python or TypeScript. Complete beginners can follow the classroom they get access to before the cohort sessions to come in well-prepared.
What does it cost?
It's a four-figure investment that we discuss during the 30-minute consult, alongside whether the cohort is the right fit for your project.
Can I do this while working full-time?
Yes, most attendees do. The live session is one Tuesday a week and the async work fits around your existing schedule, as long as you can carve out roughly 6 hours a week.
I accept those who have the highest chance of success.
In the 30-minute call we discuss your goals and whether you are ready for the program.