Every project starts as a thought. For me, Machan AI began as a small dream — a wish to build something that felt alive, friendly, and actually helpful. I wasn’t in a fancy office or lab. I was just a student with a laptop, a love for tech, and a big curiosity about how AI could be more personal and fun to talk with.
The Idea: An AI That Feels Like a Friend
During school and coding practice, I used many AI tools. They worked well, but something was missing — warmth. I wanted to build an assistant that didn’t just *answer*, but *understood*. In Sri Lanka, we say “Machan” to mean “friend.” That word stuck with me. I thought, why not make an AI that feels like a real machan — helpful, kind, and human in spirit?
Balancing School and Building a Dream
Building Machan AI while managing studies was tough. There were days I’d code till 2 AM, then wake up early for class. Sometimes everything broke — APIs failed, Firebase didn’t sync, or logic loops crashed the whole thing. But each small fix gave me a huge sense of pride. Every working line of code meant I was getting closer to my vision.
The First Working Version
The first Machan AI wasn’t impressive at all. The design was basic, and the system forgot conversations after one message. But it replied — and that single working reply made me realize something: this wasn’t just a test project anymore. It was *alive* in its own little way.
What I Learned
This project taught me far more than any book could — not only about coding, APIs, and UI design, but also about patience and focus. It showed me that even with simple tools, anyone can create something powerful if they truly care about it. Machan AI isn’t finished — it’s still learning, still growing — just like me.
— Chamidu Fernando / C-LORO