AI Workshops with @mergesort
AI Workshopswith @mergesort
Hands-on Workshops
Build your ideas — and learn as you go
Build Something Real
Learn how to build real apps — by making AI do the work
- Come with an idea, leave with a working prototype or real app. - Build side-by-side with live Q&A, expert guidance, and mastery of the fundamentals. - Learn a powerful process you can use again and again to build any idea.
From first-timers to full-stack devs, this is for anyone ready to build something real.
Build Your Own AI Agent
From idea to working agent — learn the foundations and build with confidence
- Build a functional AI agent capable of handling tasks by intelligently calling local and external tools. - Design agents that plan, reason, and act, using state-of-the-art models from OpenAI and Anthropic. - Explore multi-step workflows with frameworks like LangGraph and MCP to structure reliable agent experiences.
Ideal for developers and tech enthusiasts ready to build smarter AI tools.
Integrating AI Into iOS & macOS Apps
The power of AI built into your app
- Integrate FoundationModels or MLX.swift into your app, for private on-device inference. - Add support for popular LLMs like OpenAI and Claude to build features your users will actually use. - Learn proven patterns for privacy, performance, and scale.
For Apple platform developers who want real AI results — without the hype.
Introductory Workshops
Fast and effective introductions to powerful AI concepts
AI Fundamentals
Master the basics that make a real impact
- Learn prompt techniques that deliver reliable, useful results quickly. - Explore AI tools that simplify your work and unlock new ideas. - Build confidence to use AI every day, in ways that matter.
Whether you're starting fresh or already dabbling, you'll walk away with sharper, more practical AI skills.
Personalized Trainings
Custom-fit workshops for teams and companies
Build Your Own Workshop
Custom AI training designed for your organization
- Tailored sessions built around your team's specific goals and challenges. - Perfect for internal training, skill development, or solving targeted problems with AI. - Group workshops can include extra prep or support to make sure your team gets the most out of the session.
Ready to design something that fits your needs? Let's talk.
Jeremy Browning
Staff PM @ Pinterest
"Joe's a rare combination of deep technical expertise and aptitude for teaching. Having taught me patiently and cogently about AI development, he's cleared a dam for my personal ideas, which I've begun to bring to life. This workshop is a must for anyone with entrepreneurial desire and the interest to learn from one of the greats in Product Engineering today."
Nate Heagy
Engineering Manager
"In just a few hours Joe showed me how to map my years of software engineering experience into a modern AI-focused workflow. Together we planned and then built a simple app to record Wordle game results, and along the way I had several "aha!" moments that formed a solid understanding of how to work with these tools. I left feeling confident that I will be able to adapt to whatever new models and features arrive next."
Josue Villalona
Operations Manager @ OWN IT
"Working with Joe transformed my approach to using AI. I went from feeling stuck to successfully developing a robust MVP, through a structured, layered methodology that I now use in all my projects. His knowledge extends beyond AI, so combining his product development skills with clear and direct guidance made all the difference. Joe's insights have been invaluable to me, and his expertise will continue to influence how I build apps!"
How It Works
Getting started is easy, personalized, and built around you.
- Pick your workshop. Choose the one that best fits your interests and what you'd like to learn.
- Fill out a short intake form. I'll send it after you book, so I can better understand your goals.
- I design a personalized session. Fully customized based on your goals and experience level.
- You'll get a prep checklist. That way you'll be fully ready for our session — even if you're starting from scratch.
- We dive in and build. You'll leave with new skills, tangible progress, and clear next steps.
About
Hi, I'm Joe (@mergesort).
I have a background in engineering, teaching, and mentorship. I've worked at startups as small as one person (right now I'm an indie developer building Plinky), and have worked on large-scale problems at companies like Timehop, Bitly, and Twitter.
I'm passionate about sparking real growth through teaching — meeting people where they are — and helping them build real skills and confidence. Over the years, I've made it my mission to share what I've learned about building great products — from engineering and design to business strategy and growth.
I write about that at build.ms, offer one-on-one mentorship, and help teach AI at a local non-profit.
As AI becomes more essential, my goal is to help people understand it — and use it well. In the right hands, AI can unlock creativity, spark ideas, solve problems, and even help build a business.
These workshops are here to make AI practical, approachable, and genuinely useful — no jargon, no pressure, just clear guidance and hands-on results. Whether you're just starting or already experimenting, I'll help you build something real with AI — and give you the confidence to do it again.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you really build projects, products, and features with AI?
Absolutely! I use AI every day to help with product, design, engineering, writing, and more. This website was even built from a few hand-drawn sketches, Cursor, and a little guidance from me.
You can turn real ideas into working projects using AI. And because AI is evolving so fast, what feels hard today might be easy within just a few months — or even sooner.
What can we build together?
We'll focus on building real tools, web apps, and AI-driven workflows. Projects built with TypeScript or Python move fastest, so I highly recommend starting there. You'll learn AI workflows and mental models that transfer across any language or platform.
Mobile apps (iOS and Android) are getting better support for AI tools, but they're not fully there yet. If mobile development is your long-term goal we can work on that too, but note that we may make less progress. Regardless, you'll still benefit by learning these skills first — and you'll be ahead of the curve as AI integration improves.
How are the personalized workshops structured?
I take pride in meeting people where they are, so every session is tailored to your goals. These aren't prerecorded videos or generic calls — they're real workshops, designed just for you. Before the workshop, I'll reach out to learn more about what you're hoping to do. We'll then structure the session around those goals, with plenty of space for questions, demos, and hands-on exploration.
What tools will we use?
It depends on your goals, but at a minimum you'll need access to ChatGPT or Claude. You may also use tools like Cursor, LM Studio, or other libraries for working with AI models. I'll send you a personalized checklist before your session, so you're fully set up and ready to go. If you run into any trouble, I'll set aside time to guide you through setup — so you can focus on making real progress in our workshop.
What background do I need to have for these workshops?
No specific background is required! Most workshops are designed for beginners or experienced developers alike, but having some technical experience is recommended. The only exception is Integrating AI Into iOS & macOS Apps, which involves integrating AI into your own app — so having an existing app is important.
Do I need coding experience for the hands-on workshops?
Nope! But it does help to have a basic understanding of coding. The hands-on workshops are project-based, and I'll walk you through everything step-by-step. If you have coding experience, we'll go deeper. If not, I'll make sure you can still build something meaningful — and leave with real skills you can use again and again.
Do you offer group sessions?
I do! I'm happy to work with teams and tailor each session to your needs. Group workshops may require extra time for setup or customization, but I'll make sure your team gets the most out of the session. Please send me an email and we'll figure out what would work best for your team.
Do you offer discounts for students or low-income households?
Absolutely. I believe education should be accessible to everyone. I offer discounted rates for students, educators, and those from low-income households. Please send me an email to ask about discount options, and I'll work with you to find something that fits your budget.