From Intimidation to Innovation: How AI and n8n Workflows are Empowering the Next Generation
Orpah Gesare, an intern at Generation 1Up Africa shares her experience building an AI chatbot for the first time.
Demystifying AI for Non-Tech Students
Before attending the Coffee and Code – AI Safari Edition hosted by Power Learn Project at Kabarak University, I had a very limited idea of what AI could do for someone like me. The term “AI” conjured images of robots, complex code, and distant technologies meant only for IT experts. I never saw myself fitting into that world.
But that perception changed dramatically during the event.
Learning by Doing: Building My First AI Agent
Walking into the session, I felt completely out of my depth. Everyone around me seemed to belong, fluent in tech lingo and confident. But as the facilitators introduced us to n8n workflows, automation logic, and AI tools, something unexpected happened, I started understanding it.
More importantly, I started building.
With step-by-step guidance, we created automated bots that actually responded to real-time messages on platforms like Telegram. And I built one, me! Someone who thought tech wasn’t for them. That moment redefined what I believed was possible.
From Curiosity to Capability: Earning with AI Workflows
This session wasn’t just theoretical. It was practical, hands-on, and relevant. The facilitators didn’t stop at showing us how to build, they showed us how to earn.
Using tools like ChatGPT, n8n, and ElevenLabs, they presented real-life examples of people monetizing automation workflows. These weren’t Silicon Valley startups, just regular Kenyans creating useful bots and earning from them.
For the first time, “earning with AI” felt real and achievable.
Why This Matters: AI Education for All Students
AI is no longer the future, it’s the present. If we wait until after graduation to engage with it, we’ll already be behind.
This kind of learning: practical, empowering, and hands-on, should be part of every student’s journey. Integrating AI training into our curriculum can build confidence, inspire innovation, and prepare us for a workforce where digital fluency is essential.
If I had been exposed to this earlier, I would’ve had more tools, more ideas, and greater self-belief navigating life after campus.
A Personal Shift: From Fear to Activation
Walking out of the room that day, something changed inside me. I wasn’t just inspired, I was activated!
AI didn’t seem like a threat anymore. It felt like an opportunity. Not just a high-tech concept, but a personal tool for growth, creativity, and earning potential.
“AI isn’t replacing me. It’s reminding me I too can evolve.” – Orpah Gesare, Kabarak University, Class of 2025
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is n8n, and why is it important?
n8n is an open-source workflow automation tool that lets users build complex tasks without coding. It’s important because it makes automation accessible to everyone, including non-tech students.
2. Can I use AI tools like ChatGPT and ElevenLabs without a tech background?
Absolutely. These tools are user-friendly, and with guided learning, anyone can start building AI workflows quickly.
3. How can students earn using AI automation workflows?
Students can build bots or automated services using n8n, then monetize them by offering services, creating content, or solving niche problems for businesses.
5. How can I attend a Coffee and Code Event
The Coffee and Code Event is organized by the Power Learn Project. To learn more about them, check their website https://powerlearnprojectafrica.org/ or join their Telegram Community.