Welcome to the start of something new! This is the first of what I hope will be many posts documenting my journey as I dive into the fascinating world of AI. My goal? To share my experiences—both the struggles and the triumphs—as I learn how to harness the power of artificial intelligence tools like large language models (LLMs).
This series is less about giving step-by-step instructions and more about journaling my learning process. I’ll cover the concepts I’m exploring, the tools I’m experimenting with, and my thoughts on how AI fits into our everyday lives. Think of this as an open diary of sorts—a place where I reflect on what I’ve learned and, hopefully, connect with others who are just as curious about AI as I am.
If you’re here for a lighthearted, real-world perspective on learning AI, then you’re in the right place. Let’s dive in together!
We all love using AI, right? But let me tell you, when I first dove into this world, I wanted to understand it all: artificial intelligence, machine learning, large language models (LLMs), cosine similarity, vector databases—you name it. After months of starting and stopping my “studies,” I’ve finally wrapped my head around some of these concepts. That said, if you asked me to define them on the spot, I’d probably need to look them up!
No false modesty here—I’m just a newbie in the AI game, figuring things out one step at a time.
So far, I haven’t mastered getting AI to do exactly what I want. Maybe it’s because I’m still learning how to write better prompts. But hey, progress is progress!
What I’ve come to realize is that AI is just another tool in the toolbox. Sure, people worry about AI taking jobs—but hasn’t every major innovation sparked similar fears? Think about when the skill saw or the compound miter saw was invented. Imagine a carpenter from way back being introduced to the first water-powered saw—not even electric yet! Depending on the carpenter, their reaction might’ve been, “Wow, this will make my work more efficient,” or “Oh no, this machine is going to replace me.”
If you’re feeling unsure about AI, you’re not alone. Throughout history, humans have faced similar moments of uncertainty with new technology. The real question is: “How is this going to affect me?” And it’s completely valid to feel uneasy about that.
It’s natural to feel unsettled when change comes knocking, but as Nelson Mandela once said, “The brave are not those who do not feel afraid, but those who conquer that fear.” While Mandela’s words were said in a very different context, they resonate with how we approach the unknown—like AI today.
When I first considered hosting a Local Language Model (LLM), I felt overwhelmed. The sheer volume of acronyms, versions, and technical jargon was intimidating. But the core question driving me was simple: why would anyone want to host an LLM locally?
While I don’t buy into conspiracy theories, I approach online tools with a healthy skepticism about data privacy. If absolute data security is crucial, keeping information off the internet is the safest choice.
Take this post, for example. I wrote the text myself and then used an online LLM to proofread and suggest improvements. I’m comfortable doing this because I have no concerns about how my text might be used. But for highly sensitive information—like personal medical records—I’d rely on a locally hosted LLM to ensure full control and confidentiality.
When it comes to AI replacing jobs, like proofreading in my case, I don’t see it as a direct replacement. If I were a professional writer, I’d still hire a human proofreader for their expertise. Interestingly, AI could even create opportunities—if this post resonates with readers, I might hire a professional proofreader for future articles. So, in a way, AI might generate more business rather than less.
Because you’ve made it this far, let me share a joke with you! Quick disclaimer: Spanish is my first language, and this joke is from Spain, so I’ve done my best to translate it.
I have this very dumb friend named Joe. One day, I was walking in downtown Minneapolis when I heard someone call my name—it was Joe!
After we exchanged the usual pleasantries, he told me he’d been learning Spanish and even had an important interview in Spanish the next day.
“Wow, Joe, I didn’t know you spoke Spanish!” I said, genuinely surprised.
“Yep, I’ve been working hard at it. Go ahead—ask me anything!” Joe replied, looking confident.
So, I asked, “Alright, what does ‘abre la puerta’ mean?”
Joe furrowed his brow, thinking hard, and finally said, “Uh… I haven’t learned that one yet. Try another.”
“Okay,” I said, “It means ‘open the door.’ What about ‘cierra la puerta’?”
Joe scratched his head and said, “Oh, I’m feeling a little tired today. Ask me something easier.”
“No problem,” I said. “That one means ‘close the door.’ How about ‘hola amigo’?”
Joe’s face lit up, and he smiled proudly. “Oh, I know this one!” he said.
“It means ‘leave the door open halfway!’”
That’s it for today! I hope this post gave you a laugh or a new perspective. My journey with AI is far from over, and I’ll keep sharing as I learn. Thanks for sticking around!
