#208: Emma Saroyan shares her practical guide to generative AI for web developers

Pybites Podcast

Curious how to build real web apps with AI without turning into a prompt robot? We sit down with developer advocate and author Emma Saroyan to unpack a practical path for using OpenAI APIs and Next.js to turn ideas into shipped projects you actually understand. From smart prompting to project structure, Emma shows how to work with AI as an assistant you guide, not a textbook to copy.
Emma also takes us inside her community work in Armenia, sharing how culture shapes developer communication and adoption. We talk about how to avoid over-reliance on tools, and why accessibility matters—especially for newcomers who can use AI to prototype quickly and then deepen their skills.
If you’re ready to ship faster without losing your craft, tune in, subscribe for more conversations like this, and leave a comment with the next AI-powered feature you want to build.

Connect with Emma on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/emma-saroyan

Check out Emma's book 'Generative AI for Web Development': https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/979-8-8688-0885-2

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Chapter

1. Welcome And Guest Intro (00:00:00)

2. Emma’s Path And Community Work (00:01:28)

3. Building A Local Dev Community (00:04:02)

4. Why This AI Web Dev Book (00:06:40)

5. How The Book Teaches AI Coding (00:09:35)

6. Projects: Poetry, Language, Chatbot (00:12:03)

7. Hallucinations, Limits And Workarounds (00:15:40)

8. Fast-Moving Models And Agents (00:18:22)

9. Ethics, Safety And Real Benefits (00:21:10)

10. Accessibility And On-Ramps For Beginners (00:23:15)

11. Python Vs Next.js Choices (00:26:20)

12. Sponsor: Developer Mindset Coaching (00:29:25)

13. Languages, Models, And Accuracy (00:30:53)

14. Why Write A Book And Impact At Scale (00:33:15)

15. Staying Motivated And Iteration (00:36:40)

16. Courage, Imposter Feelings, Progress (00:39:15)

17. Advice For Makers And Authors (00:42:25)