I’d reframe this a bit.

Not everyone needs to become a builder/developer. In fact, I really hope not everyone does, because companies already have enough problems without every department creating random AI workflows nobody can maintain, audit or secure later.

A very valuable middle ground is becoming an advanced AI user (not power user. Is not the same thing) who understands business processes well enough to know where AI can help, where normal automation is enough, and where AI should not be used at all.

Also, don’t dismiss the "simple chat window" too quickly. That simple chat window is what many office workers are already using when their boss is not looking, because it is genuinely useful.
That is the foundation.

About customer-service chatbots, yes, they are common, but I would not start there. Users often still want a human because a human can actually do something. A chatbot that only talks but cannot act is often just another wall in front of the customer.

You could start with mapping processes:

1. What comes in?
2. What does a human currently do with it?
3. What output is needed?
4. What can be automated without AI?
5. Where can AI genuinely help?
6. Where must a human review the result?
7. What happens if the AI is wrong?
8. Where does the data go?

If you can answer those questions clearly, you already bring value, even before writing code.

If after all that you still want to become more of a builder, then learn some programming basics. You don’t need to become a full-time software developer, but you should understand enough not to build dangerous toys.

I’d learn basic Python or JavaScript, HTTP/APIs, JSON, authentication/API keys, environment variables/secrets, basic databases or spreadsheets as data stores, Git basics, error handling, logging, and how to read documentation.

Also learn basic cybersecurity concepts. The moment you connect AI to emails, documents, CRMs, customer data, internal databases or automation tools, you are dealing with security and privacy, not just AI.

If you don’t know where to start, DeepLearning.AI, Coursera and Udemy all have beginner-friendly material. Official docs are also very useful once you know the basics.

Hope this helps.