My interest in artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) started with simple curiosity. I always wondered how apps like Siri, Netflix, or self-driving cars “think.” Once I realized that AI powers many of these tools, I knew I wanted to learn how to build smart systems too, not just use them. That curiosity turned into action when I began teaching myself coding and taking on projects that allowed me to work hands-on with AI. One of my earliest experiences came during a virtual internship where I worked with a simulated dataset to build a basic machine learning model. I used Python and a tool called Jupyter Notebook to predict whether someone would default on a loan. I explored real AI tools like decision trees and logistic regression. Even though it was a beginner project, it opened my eyes to how important data and algorithms are when making decisions, especially in areas like finance, healthcare, and business. As I kept learning, I built a basic image recognition app using a neural network in TensorFlow. It could tell whether an image showed a dog or a cat. I trained the model using hundreds of labeled images and adjusted its performance over time. It wasn’t perfect, but it showed me how powerful AI can be when you give it good data and enough practice. I hosted the model on a simple website using React and connected the backend with Flask. It was my first full-stack AI-powered app and I was proud of how everything came together. I also had the chance to use SQL and Python in my internship at the Philadelphia Housing Authority, where I helped track inventory and equipment using a digital database. While this wasn’t full AI, it showed me how important clean and organized data is because without good data, AI won’t work properly. I'm now working on adding smart features like auto-suggestions and forecasting tools to improve the system. My goal is to combine AI with financial engineering. In the future, I plan to earn my bachelor’s degree in computer science and then get a master’s in financial engineering. I want to use machine learning to build smarter investment tools and financial models that help everyday people, not just big banks. For example, I could create a tool that helps people budget better using predictive models or use AI to detect fraud in real time. Beyond my own goals, I want to use what I learn to help others. I’ve already started by mentoring students from underrepresented areas, introducing them to tech and coding. One day, I hope to start a nonprofit that teaches AI and finance to high school students in communities that don’t always have access to the latest technology. AI is changing the world fast. From healthcare and climate change to social media and education, it touches almost every area of life. I want to be part of that change, not just by building cool apps but by creating solutions that make people’s lives better. With more hands-on projects, mentorship, and education, I know I can make an impact in this field.