What is going on with AI these days? That's what I'm trying to figure out, and this blog tracks that effort. I'm taking complex AI subjects, pulling them apart, and aiming for explanations that click, especially if you're looking at AI from a business or practical IT angle rather than deep research.

How Large Language Models like ChatGPT Work

You're likely interacting with AI (Artificial Intelligence) more and more, perhaps using tools like ChatGPT for drafting emails, summarizing reports, or even brainstorming ideas. These Large Language Models (LLMs) have become remarkably capable, but how do they actually work? What's happening behind the screen when you type a prompt and receive a well informed response?

This post aims to provide a high-level, conceptual understanding of the core mechanics behind LLMs. It's designed for the tech-interested who want to grasp the fundamentals without needing a deep dive into complex mathematics or code. Think of it as looking under the hood to see the main components, not rebuilding the engine. We'll explore how these models process language, how they "learn," and what's actually happening during that near-instantaneous generation of text.

AI Model Lifecycle - Explained with Cars

The process of creating, deploying, and using Large Language Models (LLMs) involves numerous intricate steps. Given the complexity inherent in AI development, drawing parallels to more familiar industrial processes can aid understanding. This guide presents an analogy, comparing each stage of the LLM lifecycle to the established process of designing, building, distributing, and using a car.

While AI models and automobiles are fundamentally different, examining their lifecycles side-by-side offers insights into the structure and challenges of LLM development. A key contrast arises during the core "production" phase: car manufacturing centers on the physical assembly of components, whereas LLM creation hinges on a vast computational training process to embed knowledge from data. This step-by-step comparison attempts to demystify the LLM journey.