Large Language Models: Intelligence On Demand
1. Large Language Models: Intelligence On Demand
Welcome back! In the last lesson, we explored the evolution of AI systems—from expert systems all the way to generative AI. But what makes generative AI so revolutionary?2. What Are Large Language Models?
At the core of the generative AI revolution is the large language model, or LLM. The intuition behind them is elegant yet powerful:3. What Are Large Language Models?
these are machine learning models trained on massive amounts of data—4. What Are Large Language Models?
from structured data like tables and spreadsheets to unstructured data like5. What Are Large Language Models?
text,6. What Are Large Language Models?
images,7. What Are Large Language Models?
videos,8. What Are Large Language Models?
and code. Essentially, anything that can be encoded into machine-readable format becomes training material for the model.9. What Are Large Language Models?
When you provide a prompt, or input, to an LLM,10. What Are Large Language Models?
these models can intelligently complete patterns based on what they've learned. This pattern completion is what enables them to generate human-like text, create images, and write code.11. Interacting with LLMs
When you're interacting with a chatbot application like ChatGPT, Gemini, Copilot, or Claude, you're interfacing with a large language model under-the-hood.12. Interacting with LLMs
You can think of chatbot applications like cars: complex systems filled with lots of clever engineering, but at their heart, there's an engine or LLM that is powering it.13. Interacting with LLMs
What truly makes these models special is their versatility. Unlike traditional machine learning systems that were built for specific tasks like fraud detection, large language models can tackle all sorts of problems—from writing essays to debugging code. This flexibility means you don't need a different model for every task; one model can adapt to countless applications. This represents a profound change in how we think about artificial intelligence.14. A New Paradigm: Intelligence On Demand
Large language models have allowed us to achieve a stepwise shift in generality. In the past, if you wanted AI to help with customer service, you'd build one model. If you wanted it to analyze financial data, you'd build another. Each task required its own specially-trained model.15. A New Paradigm: Intelligence On Demand
But large language models changed everything. Now we have a new paradigm: intelligence on demand. Need help with a task?16. A New Paradigm: Intelligence On Demand
Just ask. Want to solve a different problem?17. A New Paradigm: Intelligence On Demand
Ask again.18. A New Paradigm: Intelligence On Demand
The same model adapts to your needs in real-time, providing intelligent assistance whenever and wherever you need it. Because Generative AI now dominates so many of our interactions with AI systems,19. A New Paradigm: Intelligence On Demand
many people use the terms "AI" and "Generative AI" synonymously, and we'll do the same for the remainder of the course.20. What This Means For You
This paradigm shift naturally leads to important questions that affect everyone in the modern workplace. How can I make use of AI in my daily work? What are the different ways I can maximize its value for my specific role and industry? And perhaps most pressingly—will AI take my job? These aren't just theoretical questions; they're practical concerns that require thoughtful answers. Throughout this course, we'll explore each of these questions in depth, giving you the knowledge and tools to not just survive but thrive in this new era of intelligence on demand.21. Let's practice!
Now that you understand what large language models are and why they represent such a fundamental shift, let's test your knowledge with some practice exercises!Create Your Free Account
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