Building with AI: A Developer’s Approach for Non-Developers

AI has made it possible for people without traditional programming backgrounds to build real applications using tools like Claude Code, Codex, Cursor, and GitHub Copilot. But building an app is about more than generating code.

Professional developers rely on a set of practices, tools, and ways of thinking that help them turn an idea into software that can be tested, deployed, maintained, and improved over time. Understanding concepts like Git and GitHub, environments, testing, debugging, deployment, application architecture, and version control can make the difference between a quick prototype and a reliable application.

In this presentation, Jonathan Lewin will introduce non-developers to the developer mindset behind building applications with AI. You will learn how developers think about breaking problems into systems, managing code and changes, testing their work, deploying applications, and recovering when things go wrong. We will explore the tools and concepts every AI builder should understand, and how adopting a more structured development approach can help you move beyond vibe coding and build applications with greater confidence and control.

About the Presenter
Jonathan Lewin is a Cybersecurity Specialist at Digicentric with over three years of experience in the MSP space. He focuses on streamlining IT solutions with compliance at the core, handling everything from incident response to cutting through SIEM noise. Jonathan leverages AI at every step, developing standalone solutions and automations that keep cybersecurity front and center. Learn more about him at Linkedin.

Location
Fullerton Community Center
340 W Commonwealth Ave, Fullerton, CA 92832, USA
Once in the community center, look for the "boardroom".

Parking
Park in the rear, pass the Boys and Girls Clubs of Fullerton (you can park there too if you want, but you'll have to walk a bit further to the back).

Learn How to Build with AI
Check out I Build with AI and Cody Skills, where you can learn the skills and mindset you need to build production-ready apps with AI, without becoming a developer.