Introduction to LLM
Last updated
Last updated
What is an LLM?
How does an LLM work?
The Importance of LLMs
Have you ever heard of the term LLM, or Large Language Model?
It might sound unfamiliar, but in reality, we use LLMs in our daily lives more often than we realize.
✔ Customer Support Chatbots
Have you ever visited a product website and received automated responses from a chatbot about returns or refunds?
In the past, chatbots matched simple keywords and provided generic responses. However, LLMs now understand customer queries and generate natural, context-aware answers.
✔ Automatic Translation Services
Have you ever used Google Translate to read a foreign-language website?
Unlike basic word-for-word translation, LLMs consider the context to generate more natural translations.
✔ Automated Email Suggestions
Have you seen suggested responses that fit the conversation when replying to emails?
This feature uses LLMs to analyze the email content and generate appropriate replies.
💡 What is an LLM?
LLM stands for Large Language Model, an AI model designed to understand and generate human-like text. Simply put, it can read, write, and engage in conversations just like a human.
As seen in the examples above, LLMs are now widely used in chatbots, translation, content generation, and email assistance, making both our personal and professional lives more convenient.
LLMs do not just memorize data. Instead, they function based on probability models that predict the next word in a sequence.
A probability model is a mathematical model that calculates the likelihood of an event occurring and predicts results based on that probability.
For example, when flipping a coin, the probability of getting heads is 50%, and the probability of getting tails is also 50%.
LLMs analyze context and predict the most likely next word.
For example, if we input:
"Today's weather is"
The LLM uses its trained data and probability model to predict the next word.
Possible Next Words:
"cold." (80%)
"cooking" (10%)
"delicious" (5%)
"train" (3%)
"1234" (2%)
Since "cold." has the highest probability, the LLM selects it to continue the sentence.
💡 In simple terms, an LLM predicts the next word based on the most natural sequence, making text generation feel human-like.
This process is called "Next Token Prediction."
Why has LLM technology gained so much attention recently?
It’s because LLMs are not just about generating text. They are transforming various industries and enhancing everyday life.
LLMs can understand user queries and generate context-aware responses.
They are used in translation, summarization, and document writing assistance.
Due to these capabilities, LLMs help people access information more efficiently, increase productivity, and support creative work.
LLMs are not just text generators; they integrate with other AI technologies to create even more valuable applications.
When combined with various AI models, LLMs can enhance user experiences and improve efficiency. This fusion is known as Multimodal AI, where the AI model can process text, images, speech, and video.
📷 Computer Vision
When LLMs integrate with image recognition models, they can interpret text within images and provide detailed explanations.
For instance, an AI system can analyze contracts and extract key details or help visually impaired users by describing images.
🎙 Speech Recognition
By integrating with speech technology, LLMs can convert spoken language into text and generate summaries.
This enables AI-powered voice assistants and automated meeting summary systems.
LLMs play a crucial role in building a stronger AI ecosystem by collaborating with other technologies.
💡 Automating Document Work → Save Time & Increase Efficiency!
Companies use LLMs for:
Auto-generating emails
Drafting reports
Automating customer inquiries
These applications reduce repetitive tasks and enhance efficiency.
💡 Making Global Communication More Accessible
Multilingual translation features help facilitate global communication.
LLMs simplify complex legal, medical, and technical documents, making them easier to understand.
By breaking language barriers, LLMs empower people to communicate and learn more effectively.
💡 Anyone Can Become a Content Creator with LLMs!
Assisting in writing blog posts, ad copy, and news articles
Helping generate poetry, novels, and scripts
Supporting marketing content creation
LLMs are not just about providing information—they serve as tools to enhance creativity and help users bring their ideas to life.
LLMs are more than just text generators—they are transforming various industries and shaping the future of AI.
🔹 LLM Definition: AI models that understand and generate human language, widely used in chatbots, translation, and content generation.
🔹 How They Work: Based on probability models, LLMs predict the most likely next word to generate natural text.
🔹 Why They Matter: With their ability to understand and generate text, LLMs enhance translation, summarization, writing, and productivity, supporting both businesses and creative professionals.
In the next lesson, we will explore what LLMs excel at and the limitations to consider when using them!
YoungHoon Jeon | AI Edu | Upstage