Welcome: Understanding AI Models

Learning Objectives Understand why model literacy makes you a more effective AI user Know what this playbook covers and how it differs from a computer science course Feel confident that you can understand models without being an engineer Why Model Literacy Matters You do not need to understand how a car engine works to drive. But understanding the basics — gasoline vs. electric, horsepower, fuel efficiency — helps you buy the right car, maintain it properly, and know when something is wrong. AI models are the same. You do not need to understand the mathematics of transformer architectures (though we will cover the basics). But understanding how models differ, what makes one better than another for a given task, and where the technology is heading makes you a dramatically better AI user. Practical benefits of model literacy: Better tool choices. When someone asks "should we use ChatGPT or Claude?", you can give an informed answer instead of guessing or going with the most popular option. See through marketing. Every AI company claims their model is "the best." Model literacy helps you evaluate these claims critically. Informed conversations. Whether you are in a board meeting, a team discussion, or a dinner party, you can discuss AI with confidence and nuance. Future awareness. Understanding where models are today helps you anticipate where they are going — which matters for career planning, business strategy, and personal decisions. What You Will Learn Eight lessons that build practical model literacy: How LLMs work — transformers,…