I'm new to AI and data science and trying to choose my first programming language. Many people suggest Python, while others recommend R or even Java/Scala for certain use cases. From a practical industry perspective, which language is most useful to start with, and why?

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Pearl Shims
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I'd go Python for starters. It is easy to understand, easy to learn and if you start with the open-source LLMs, you will most probably come across llama.cpp which comes with a few handy python scripts to manage LLMs.

Then I'd add a second language based on where your target use cases would reside in - be it an application-based or a platform-based language. I.e. if an application speaks C#, understand that one. It might get then easier to integrate the LLM inputs/outputs with that app.

Note that I'm not a developer/coder, I've just started a little bit of Python myself.

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Michal Simanek
Lead Technical Specialist
Vivicta s.r.o
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python would be best

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Vasu Gupta
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Original Message:
Sent: 2/9/2026 4:16:00 PM
From: Vasu Gupta
Subject: RE: Which programming language should I start with for AI and data science?

python would be best

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Vasu Gupta
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I suggest you start with Python, as it is the primary programming language used by many AI/GenAI/ML libraries in practice and in production. While working in research, I used R as my primary programming language, but I never used it again for projects intended to run in production. 

Good luck!

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Giulia Solinas
Data science and AI consultant
CROZ
München
+491705276800
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Original Message:
Sent: Mon February 09, 2026 04:15 PM
From: Vasu Gupta
Subject: Which programming language should I start with for AI and data science?

python would be best

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Vasu Gupta
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When I started looking into AI and data science, I had the same confusion - Python, R, Java, Scala… it honestly felt overwhelming.

From what I've seen (and after talking to people actually working in the field), Python just makes the most practical sense to start with.

Not because other languages aren't good -  but because almost everything in AI today revolves around Python. Most tutorials, research code, frameworks, and even production ML workflows are Python-based. If you search for help online, 90% of the answers will be in Python.

R is great if you're very focused on statistics or academic research. It's powerful, but in mainstream AI engineering roles, Python shows up much more.

Java and Scala are more common in big data engineering environments. They're important - but usually later, once you're dealing with large-scale systems. For someone just starting, they can feel heavy.

If the goal is to get into AI/ML roles, build projects, experiment with models, and stay aligned with industry demand, Python gives you the smoothest entry point.

You can always pick up R or Scala later if your role needs it. But starting with Python keeps things simple and opens the most doors.

That's just my honest take as someone who also started from scratch.

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Pooja Dave
SDE intern
IBM
Banglore KA
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Original Message:
Sent: 2/11/2026 7:40:00 AM
From: Pooja Dave
Subject: RE: Which programming language should I start with for AI and data science?

When I started looking into AI and data science, I had the same confusion - Python, R, Java, Scala… it honestly felt overwhelming.

From what I've seen (and after talking to people actually working in the field), Python just makes the most practical sense to start with.

Not because other languages aren't good -  but because almost everything in AI today revolves around Python. Most tutorials, research code, frameworks, and even production ML workflows are Python-based. If you search for help online, 90% of the answers will be in Python.

R is great if you're very focused on statistics or academic research. It's powerful, but in mainstream AI engineering roles, Python shows up much more.

Java and Scala are more common in big data engineering environments. They're important - but usually later, once you're dealing with large-scale systems. For someone just starting, they can feel heavy.

If the goal is to get into AI/ML roles, build projects, experiment with models, and stay aligned with industry demand, Python gives you the smoothest entry point.

You can always pick up R or Scala later if your role needs it. But starting with Python keeps things simple and opens the most doors.

That's just my honest take as someone who also started from scratch.

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Pooja Dave
SDE intern
IBM
Banglore KA
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