How LLMs really work.
Every AI chatbot is built on one idea: the Transformer. Let's open it up, one question at a time.
You need
- ✓ School maths: add, multiply, percentages
- ✓ Curiosity
You don't need
- ✗ Any AI or coding experience
- ✗ Heavy maths
- ✗ A GPU
Every new idea is explained when it first comes up.
Learning
- 1 Go in order.
- 2 Guess before you click.
- 3 Play with every demo.
- 4 Take your own notes with the pen.
Shortcuts
- G Guide me
- P Pen for notes
- ← → Back / next
- T Big text
- Esc Stop pen / guide
How it works
- 🎬Watch a lecture of CME295 (free on YouTube)
- 📒Open the lesson with the same number here
- ✋Try each idea yourself
The path
Each lesson ends with a question. The next one answers it.
An independent study companion, written in my own words. It follows the order of the Autumn 2026 lectures in Stanford's public CME295 syllabus; watch the lectures there, then come here to try each idea yourself. Not affiliated with or endorsed by Stanford.