June 2025
Intermediate to advanced
200 pages
6h 20m
English
Overview
Learn how large language models like GPT and Gemini work under the hood in plain English.
How Large Language Models Work translates years of expert research on Large Language Models into a readable, focused introduction to working with these amazing systems. It explains clearly how LLMs function, introduces the optimization techniques to fine-tune them, and shows how to create pipelines and processes to ensure your AI applications are efficient and error-free.
In How Large Language Models Work you will learn how to:
How Large Language Models Work is authored by top machine learning researchers at Booz Allen Hamilton, including researcher Stella Biderman, Director of AI/ML Research Drew Farris, and Director of Emerging AI Edward Raff. They lay out how LLM and GPT technology works in plain language that’s accessible and engaging for all.
About the Technology
Large Language Models put the “I” in “AI.” By connecting words, concepts, and patterns from billions of documents, LLMs are able to generate the human-like responses we’ve come to expect from tools like ChatGPT, Claude, and Deep-Seek. In this informative and entertaining book, the world’s best machine learning researchers from Booz Allen Hamilton explore foundational concepts of LLMs, their opportunities and limitations, and the best practices for incorporating AI into your organizations and applications.
About the Book
How Large Language Models Work takes you inside an LLM, showing step-by-step how a natural language prompt becomes a clear, readable text completion. Written in plain language, you’ll learn how LLMs are created, why they make errors, and how you can design reliable AI solutions. Along the way, you’ll learn how LLMs “think,” how to design LLM-powered applications like agents and Q&A systems, and how to navigate the ethical, legal, and security issues.
What's Inside
About the Reader
No knowledge of ML or AI systems is required.
About the Authors
Edward Raff, Drew Farris and Stella Biderman are the Director of Emerging AI, Director of AI/ML Research, and machine learning researcher at Booz Allen Hamilton.
Quotes
Essential reading if you want to understand how LLMs really work.
- Janelle Shane, aiweirdness.com
Demystifies technology revolutionizing human-machine interaction.
- Sudharshan Tumkunta, Meta
An excellent no-nonsense introduction to LLMs.
- Kartik Dutta, Cisco
Strikes the perfect balance between depth and clarity, making it an invaluable resource for both researchers and practitioners.
- Mattia Zoccarato, Chiron AI
How Large Language Models Work translates years of expert research on Large Language Models into a readable, focused introduction to working with these amazing systems. It explains clearly how LLMs function, introduces the optimization techniques to fine-tune them, and shows how to create pipelines and processes to ensure your AI applications are efficient and error-free.
In How Large Language Models Work you will learn how to:
- Test and evaluate LLMs
- Use human feedback, supervised fine-tuning, and Retrieval Augmented Generation (RAG)
- Reducing the risk of bad outputs, high-stakes errors, and automation bias Human-computer interaction systems
- Combine LLMs with traditional ML
How Large Language Models Work is authored by top machine learning researchers at Booz Allen Hamilton, including researcher Stella Biderman, Director of AI/ML Research Drew Farris, and Director of Emerging AI Edward Raff. They lay out how LLM and GPT technology works in plain language that’s accessible and engaging for all.
About the Technology
Large Language Models put the “I” in “AI.” By connecting words, concepts, and patterns from billions of documents, LLMs are able to generate the human-like responses we’ve come to expect from tools like ChatGPT, Claude, and Deep-Seek. In this informative and entertaining book, the world’s best machine learning researchers from Booz Allen Hamilton explore foundational concepts of LLMs, their opportunities and limitations, and the best practices for incorporating AI into your organizations and applications.
About the Book
How Large Language Models Work takes you inside an LLM, showing step-by-step how a natural language prompt becomes a clear, readable text completion. Written in plain language, you’ll learn how LLMs are created, why they make errors, and how you can design reliable AI solutions. Along the way, you’ll learn how LLMs “think,” how to design LLM-powered applications like agents and Q&A systems, and how to navigate the ethical, legal, and security issues.
What's Inside
- Customize LLMs for specific applications
- Reduce the risk of bad outputs and bias
- Dispel myths about LLMs
- Go beyond language processing
About the Reader
No knowledge of ML or AI systems is required.
About the Authors
Edward Raff, Drew Farris and Stella Biderman are the Director of Emerging AI, Director of AI/ML Research, and machine learning researcher at Booz Allen Hamilton.
Quotes
Essential reading if you want to understand how LLMs really work.
- Janelle Shane, aiweirdness.com
Demystifies technology revolutionizing human-machine interaction.
- Sudharshan Tumkunta, Meta
An excellent no-nonsense introduction to LLMs.
- Kartik Dutta, Cisco
Strikes the perfect balance between depth and clarity, making it an invaluable resource for both researchers and practitioners.
- Mattia Zoccarato, Chiron AI
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