How one woman’s leap into IT education sparked a passion for AI art and community collaboration
When Lifang (Lily) He first enrolled in our IT program – e-Magine! summer cohort, she hadn’t touched a computer in years. As a dedicated housewife, her world had revolved around family and home management. Technology felt foreign, almost intimidating. Her husband, recognizing her curiosity and potential, surprised her with a laptop—a gesture that would prove to be the catalyst for an extraordinary transformation.
“I wasn’t even sure how to turn laptop on properly,” Lily laughs, recalling those first overwhelming days. “Everything felt so complicated. I had to start with the absolute basics—how to use a mouse, how to open programs. It was humbling, but I was determined to learn.”
Discovering the Magic of AI Art
What began as basic computer literacy lessons soon evolved into something much more exciting. As part of the curriculum covering artificial intelligence applications, Lily discovered Night Cafe, an AI image generation platform that would capture her imagination completely.
The transformation was remarkable. Within weeks, Lily went from struggling with basic computer operations to diving deep into AI art creation. Her dedication became evident through her consistent engagement—signing in daily to create new images and steadily accumulating over 1,000 credits in less than two months.
“Night Cafe opened up a whole new world for me,” she explains. “Suddenly, I could bring my ideas to life visually, even without traditional art skills. Each day brought new possibilities, new images to create and explore.”
Building Community Through Technology
Perhaps the most inspiring aspect of Lily’s journey has been her natural inclination toward community building. She quickly connected with a group of Chinese mothers who were also navigating their own AI learning journeys. Together, they formed a supportive network that extends far beyond the classroom.
The group meets regularly via Zoom—a platform Lily initially found challenging but has now mastered. These virtual sessions have become collaborative workshops where members share their AI-generated artwork, provide constructive feedback, and learn from each other’s techniques and approaches.
“We critique each other’s work, but always with kindness and the goal of improvement,” Lily notes. “It’s wonderful to have this support system of women who understand the challenges of learning technology later in life while managing family responsibilities.”
Expanding Skills: From AI to Design
Lily’s appetite for learning hasn’t stopped with AI art generation. She’s expanded her skillset to include Canva, where she’s developing graphic design capabilities that complement her AI artwork. This combination of AI-generated imagery and traditional design principles has proven powerful, allowing her to create polished, professional-looking materials.
Her growing expertise caught the attention of SankofaPOWER, a North Minneapolis initiative. When they needed promotional materials, Lily volunteered her newly acquired skills, creating compelling visual content that helped amplify their mission and outreach efforts.
A Vision for the Future
What started as basic computer literacy has blossomed into a passion for using technology to serve others. Lily’s experience with SankofaPOWER has inspired her to seek out more volunteer opportunities where she can contribute her developing skills to nonprofit organizations that might not otherwise have access to professional design services.
“I want to use what I’ve learned to help organizations that are doing good work in the community,” she says. “Technology gave me these abilities, and now I want to give back.”
Lessons in Lifelong Learning
Lily’s story serves as a powerful reminder that it’s never too late to embrace new technologies and develop new skills. Her journey from computer novice to AI art enthusiast and community collaborator illustrates several key principles:
Start Small, Dream Big: Lily began with the most basic computer skills but didn’t let that limit her aspirations. Each small victory built confidence for bigger challenges.- Embrace Community: Rather than learning in isolation, she actively sought out others on similar journeys, creating a support network that enhanced everyone’s learning experience.
- Learn by Doing: Daily practice on Night Cafe and regular Zoom sessions provided hands-on experience that accelerated her learning beyond what classroom instruction alone could achieve.
- Give Back: As her skills developed, she looked for ways to use them in service of causes she cared about, creating a positive feedback loop that motivated continued learning.
The Ripple Effect
Lily’s transformation extends beyond her individual achievement. Her children now see their mother as a tech-savvy role model. Her husband’s initial investment in a laptop has paid dividends not just for Lily, but for the entire family and the community organizations she now serves.
The group of mothers she collaborates with has become a model for how adult learners can support each other through the challenges of acquiring new technological skills. Their success demonstrates that learning communities can form organically when people share common goals and mutual respect.
Looking Ahead
As we closed the e-Magine! cohort learning, Lily was awarded for the “Most Committed Award” in the cohort, she also pledges to continue to develop her skills in AI art generation, graphic design, and digital collaboration tools, her story reminds us that technology education is most powerful when it connects to personal passions and community service. Her journey from uncertain beginner to confident digital creator shows that with curiosity, persistence, and community support, anyone can navigate the digital landscape and find their unique way to contribute.
For other adults considering a similar leap into technology education, Lily’s advice is simple: “Don’t be afraid to start. Find your community. And remember that every expert was once a beginner. The computer won’t break if you click the wrong thing — but amazing things can happen when you click the right ones.”
Lily continues to expand her technical skills while volunteering her design services to local nonprofits. She remains an active member of our IT program community and serves as a mentor to other adult learners beginning their own technology journeys.
