A Guide to LLMs (Large Language Models): Understanding the Foundations of Generative AI

In recent years, one of the most groundbreaking advances in natural language processing (NLP) has been the development of large language models (LLMs), such as GPT, BERT, and T5. These models exhibit advanced text generation and comprehension capabilities, leveraging vast datasets and finding applications across a wide range of fields. This article provides a comprehensive guide for engineers, explaining the basics of LLMs, their training methods, and real-world usage examples. Whether you’re already interested in machine learning and NLP or planning to dive into LLM-based development, you’ll find valuable insights here.

Introduction to LLMs: Table of Contents

  1. What is LLM?
    1. Definition and Overview
    2. Role in NLP
    3. Comparison with Machine Learning
  2. Basics of LLMs
    1. Transformer Model Explained
    2. Attention Mechanism
    3. Key LLM Models: BERT, GPT, T5
  3. Training LLMs
    1. Datasets and Preprocessing
    2. Training Steps Overview
    3. Fine-Tuning and Transfer Learning
  4. LLM Applications
    1. Text Generation
    2. Question Answering
    3. Translation and Summarization
    4. Code Generation
  5. Considerations When Using LLMs
    1. Bias and Ethical Issues
    2. Computational Resources and Costs
    3. Real-Time Processing Challenges
  6. Trying Out LLMs
    1. Open Source Tools and APIs
    2. Python Implementation Examples
  7. Future Prospects and Challenges

    1. Scaling Model Evolution
    2. Resource-Efficient Training
    3. Multimodal Integration

Now, let’s start with What is LLM?


Published on: 2024-09-01
Last updated on: 2025-09-08
Version: 13

SHO

CTO of Receipt Roller Inc., he builds innovative AI solutions and writes to make large language models more understandable, sharing both practical uses and behind-the-scenes insights.