ELI5: llm

// eli5

What is an LLM?

An LLM is like a really smart robot that learned to understand and write words by reading tons and tons of books, websites, and other text [1][3]. It's kind of like how you learn to talk by listening to people around you, except this robot learned from billions of examples [4].

Why can it understand language?

The LLM learned patterns about which words usually go together and what sentences mean by studying so much text [1]. It's similar to how you might predict the next word in "peanut butter and ___" because you've heard it so many times [4].

What can it actually do?

LLMs can read what you type and write back answers, just like texting a friend [3]. They can also help with things like writing emails, explaining ideas, answering questions, and having conversations [1][4].

How do people use it?

People use LLMs for help with writing, learning, coding, and solving problems - they're tools that sit on computers and the internet [3][4]. You talk to them by typing questions or prompts and they type back answers almost instantly [1].