As a lifelong self-learner, I use all sorts of methods to learn new things, and AI is what I’m currently into. Although I’ve been in the game since 2022, my background wasn’t focused on AI. So, like everyone else, I had to do some “AI For Dummies” level study in order to get more involved. Below is a list of learning materials that I find very helpful for myself to get started with and might also be helpful for someone else in the same situation. Quick Start 1. Large Language Models Explained Briefly Type: Video Note: Created by the popular channel 3Blue1Brown, this video uses intuitive visuals and simple language to explain how large language models (LLMs) work. Perfect for beginners who want a quick, accessible understanding of LLMs without diving into technical details. 2. Large Language Models: A Survey Type: Research paper Note: This survey provides a high-level summary of LLM developments, making it ideal for curious learners interested in understanding the evolution and variety of these models without getting overwhelmed by book. A Comprehensive Overview of Large Language Models Type: Research paper Note: Provides an in-depth examination of LLM architecture, training strategies, and multimodal applications. Essential for researchers and advanced practitioners seeking detailed insights into the state-of-the-art in LLMs. 4. 2024 AI Index Report Type: Comprehensive report Note: This annual report from Stanford offers insights into the latest AI trends, including research, ethics, and global adoption. A must-read for policymakers, educators, and tech enthusiasts seeking a broad overview of AI’s impact. 5. Generative AI Overview Type: Web article Note: Gartner’s accessible yet detailed coverage is perfect for business professionals and anyone interested in how generative AI can be applied across industries. From Basic to Advanced 1. Hands-On Large Language Models Type: Book Note: This practical guide teaches you how to build, fine-tune, and deploy LLMs. Ideal for developers, data scientists, and AI practitioners ready to get their hands dirty. Also available on shadow libraries. 2. A Survey of Large Language Models Type: Bookish paper Note: Dubbed more of a book than a paper, this resource dives deep into the technical architecture and methodologies of LLMs. Best suited for researchers and advanced learners. 3. The 2025 AI Engineer Reading List Type: Reading list Note: By the popular podcast show Latent Space. A goldmine for aspiring AI engineers, this list highlights the most influential papers, books, and resources to stay ahead in AI development for this year. 4. Generative AI Handbook Type: Reading list Note: Offers a roadmap to mastering generative AI, from fundamentals to advanced topics. Great for learners who value organized study paths. 5. Ahead of AI Magazine Type: Digital magazine Note: Authored by AI expert Sebastian Raschka, this magazine covers technical and philosophical discussions about AI. Ideal for anyone interested in both the practical and theoretical aspects of the field. 6. Awesome List of Cybersecurity and AI Type: Reading list Note: This curated list focuses on the intersection of AI and cybersecurity, making it invaluable for security professionals and researchers. Blogs 1. Simon Willison’s Weblog Note: Simon’s posts trending news and technical details with accessible narratives, catering to open-source developers and AI enthusiasts. 2. AI, Software, Tech, and People by X Note: Xavier Amatriain’s blog offers insightful commentary on AI’s impact on society, making it a thoughtful read for non-technical audiences. 3. The Kaitchup – AI on a Budget Note: Benjamin Marie’s posts The Weekly Kaitchup news and running open LLMs locally, ideal for small businesses, startups, and hobbyists. Podcasts 1. Around the Prompt Note: Delving into AI innovation with leading experts, uncovers untapped potential and provides practical insights for enthusiasts and newcomers alike. 2. The Gradient Note: Provides diverse perspectives on AI from researchers, builders, and users across academia, engineering, art, and entrepreneurship, making it ideal for a broad audience seeking multifaceted insights. 3. Practical AI Note: By Changelog Media, makes artificial intelligence practical, productive, and accessible to everyone. 4. The TWIML AI Podcast Note: Sam Charrington’s discussions with top industry experts on cutting-edge machine learning and AI technologies, providing valuable knowledge for researchers, engineers, and tech leaders. 5. Unsupervised Learning Note: By AI / Security Researcher and Entrepreneur, Daniel Miessler. Unsupervised Learning is a website, newsletter, and podcast about how to survive and thrive as humans in a post-AI world. 6. The Cognitive Revolution Note: A weekly podcast where host Nathan Labenz interviews AI innovators, diving into the transformative impact AI will have in the near future. 7. Latent Space Podcast Note: Top 10 US Tech podcast. Exploring AI UX, Agents, Devtools, Infra, Open Source Models for AI Engineers. Afterwords This list may get updated after time. But keep practicing while learning theory is the best way to go—using AI via self-hosting local LLMs, like my Homebrew AI Lab. It was done in 2023 and there are better tools nowadays, such as Ollama, jan and llamafile, which provide user friendly, efficiency and privacy. I found harbor as a great testbed for experimenting with different LLM stack. So there might be new post on that in the near future. As a lifelong self-learner, I use all sorts of methods to learn new things, and AI is what I’m currently into. Although I’ve been in the game since 2022, my background wasn’t focused on AI. So, like everyone else, I had to do some “AI For Dummies” level study in order to get more involved. Below is a list of learning materials that I find very helpful for myself to get started with and might also be helpful for someone else in the same situation. Quick Start Quick Start 1. Large Language Models Explained Briefly 1. Large Language Models Explained Briefly Large Language Models Explained Briefly Type: Video Note: Created by the popular channel 3Blue1Brown, this video uses intuitive visuals and simple language to explain how large language models (LLMs) work. Perfect for beginners who want a quick, accessible understanding of LLMs without diving into technical details. Type: Video Type : Video Type Note: Created by the popular channel 3Blue1Brown, this video uses intuitive visuals and simple language to explain how large language models (LLMs) work. Perfect for beginners who want a quick, accessible understanding of LLMs without diving into technical details. Note : Created by the popular channel 3Blue1Brown, this video uses intuitive visuals and simple language to explain how large language models (LLMs) work. Perfect for beginners who want a quick, accessible understanding of LLMs without diving into technical details. Note 2. Large Language Models: A Survey 2. Large Language Models: A Survey Large Language Models: A Survey Type: Research paper Note: This survey provides a high-level summary of LLM developments, making it ideal for curious learners interested in understanding the evolution and variety of these models without getting overwhelmed by book. Type: Research paper Type : Research paper Type Note: This survey provides a high-level summary of LLM developments, making it ideal for curious learners interested in understanding the evolution and variety of these models without getting overwhelmed by book. Note : This survey provides a high-level summary of LLM developments, making it ideal for curious learners interested in understanding the evolution and variety of these models without getting overwhelmed by book. Note A Comprehensive Overview of Large Language Models A Comprehensive Overview of Large Language Models A Comprehensive Overview of Large Language Models A Comprehensive Overview of Large Language Models Type: Research paper Note: Provides an in-depth examination of LLM architecture, training strategies, and multimodal applications. Essential for researchers and advanced practitioners seeking detailed insights into the state-of-the-art in LLMs. Type: Research paper Type : Research paper Type Note: Provides an in-depth examination of LLM architecture, training strategies, and multimodal applications. Essential for researchers and advanced practitioners seeking detailed insights into the state-of-the-art in LLMs. Note : Provides an in-depth examination of LLM architecture, training strategies, and multimodal applications. Essential for researchers and advanced practitioners seeking detailed insights into the state-of-the-art in LLMs. Note 4. 2024 AI Index Report 4. 2024 AI Index Report 2024 AI Index Report Type: Comprehensive report Note: This annual report from Stanford offers insights into the latest AI trends, including research, ethics, and global adoption. A must-read for policymakers, educators, and tech enthusiasts seeking a broad overview of AI’s impact. Type: Comprehensive report Type : Comprehensive report Type Note: This annual report from Stanford offers insights into the latest AI trends, including research, ethics, and global adoption. A must-read for policymakers, educators, and tech enthusiasts seeking a broad overview of AI’s impact. Note : This annual report from Stanford offers insights into the latest AI trends, including research, ethics, and global adoption. A must-read for policymakers, educators, and tech enthusiasts seeking a broad overview of AI’s impact. Note 5. Generative AI Overview 5. Generative AI Overview Generative AI Overview Type: Web article Note: Gartner’s accessible yet detailed coverage is perfect for business professionals and anyone interested in how generative AI can be applied across industries. Type : Web article Type Note : Gartner’s accessible yet detailed coverage is perfect for business professionals and anyone interested in how generative AI can be applied across industries. Note From Basic to Advanced From Basic to Advanced 1. Hands-On Large Language Models 1. Hands-On Large Language Models Hands-On Large Language Models Type: Book Note: This practical guide teaches you how to build, fine-tune, and deploy LLMs. Ideal for developers, data scientists, and AI practitioners ready to get their hands dirty. Also available on shadow libraries. Type: Book Type : Book Type Note: This practical guide teaches you how to build, fine-tune, and deploy LLMs. Ideal for developers, data scientists, and AI practitioners ready to get their hands dirty. Also available on shadow libraries. Note : This practical guide teaches you how to build, fine-tune, and deploy LLMs. Ideal for developers, data scientists, and AI practitioners ready to get their hands dirty. Also available on shadow libraries . Note shadow libraries 2. A Survey of Large Language Models 2. A Survey of Large Language Models A Survey of Large Language Models Type: Bookish paper Note: Dubbed more of a book than a paper, this resource dives deep into the technical architecture and methodologies of LLMs. Best suited for researchers and advanced learners. Type: Bookish paper Type : Bookish paper Type Note: Dubbed more of a book than a paper, this resource dives deep into the technical architecture and methodologies of LLMs. Best suited for researchers and advanced learners. Note : Dubbed more of a book than a paper, this resource dives deep into the technical architecture and methodologies of LLMs. Best suited for researchers and advanced learners. Note 3. The 2025 AI Engineer Reading List 3. The 2025 AI Engineer Reading List The 2025 AI Engineer Reading List Type: Reading list Note: By the popular podcast show Latent Space. A goldmine for aspiring AI engineers, this list highlights the most influential papers, books, and resources to stay ahead in AI development for this year. Type : Reading list Type Note : By the popular podcast show Latent Space. A goldmine for aspiring AI engineers, this list highlights the most influential papers, books, and resources to stay ahead in AI development for this year. Note 4. Generative AI Handbook 4. Generative AI Handbook Generative AI Handbook Type: Reading list Note: Offers a roadmap to mastering generative AI, from fundamentals to advanced topics. Great for learners who value organized study paths. Type : Reading list Type Note : Offers a roadmap to mastering generative AI, from fundamentals to advanced topics. Great for learners who value organized study paths. Note 5. Ahead of AI Magazine 5. Ahead of AI Magazine Ahead of AI Magazine Type: Digital magazine Note: Authored by AI expert Sebastian Raschka, this magazine covers technical and philosophical discussions about AI. Ideal for anyone interested in both the practical and theoretical aspects of the field. Type : Digital magazine Type Note : Authored by AI expert Sebastian Raschka, this magazine covers technical and philosophical discussions about AI. Ideal for anyone interested in both the practical and theoretical aspects of the field. Note 6. Awesome List of Cybersecurity and AI 6. Awesome List of Cybersecurity and AI Awesome List of Cybersecurity and AI Type: Reading list Note: This curated list focuses on the intersection of AI and cybersecurity, making it invaluable for security professionals and researchers. Type : Reading list Type Note : This curated list focuses on the intersection of AI and cybersecurity, making it invaluable for security professionals and researchers. Note Blogs Blogs 1. Simon Willison’s Weblog 1. Simon Willison’s Weblog Simon Willison’s Weblog Note: Simon’s posts trending news and technical details with accessible narratives, catering to open-source developers and AI enthusiasts. Note : Simon’s posts trending news and technical details with accessible narratives, catering to open-source developers and AI enthusiasts. Note 2. AI, Software, Tech, and People by X 2. AI, Software, Tech, and People by X AI, Software, Tech, and People by X Note: Xavier Amatriain’s blog offers insightful commentary on AI’s impact on society, making it a thoughtful read for non-technical audiences. Note : Xavier Amatriain’s blog offers insightful commentary on AI’s impact on society, making it a thoughtful read for non-technical audiences. Note 3. The Kaitchup – AI on a Budget 3. The Kaitchup – AI on a Budget The Kaitchup – AI on a Budget Note: Benjamin Marie’s posts The Weekly Kaitchup news and running open LLMs locally, ideal for small businesses, startups, and hobbyists. Note : Benjamin Marie’s posts The Weekly Kaitchup news and running open LLMs locally, ideal for small businesses, startups, and hobbyists. Note Podcasts Podcasts 1. Around the Prompt 1. Around the Prompt Around the Prompt Note: Delving into AI innovation with leading experts, uncovers untapped potential and provides practical insights for enthusiasts and newcomers alike. Note : Delving into AI innovation with leading experts, uncovers untapped potential and provides practical insights for enthusiasts and newcomers alike. Note 2. The Gradient 2. The Gradient The Gradient Note: Provides diverse perspectives on AI from researchers, builders, and users across academia, engineering, art, and entrepreneurship, making it ideal for a broad audience seeking multifaceted insights. Note : Provides diverse perspectives on AI from researchers, builders, and users across academia, engineering, art, and entrepreneurship, making it ideal for a broad audience seeking multifaceted insights. Note 3. Practical AI 3. Practical AI Practical AI Note: By Changelog Media, makes artificial intelligence practical, productive, and accessible to everyone. Note : By Changelog Media, makes artificial intelligence practical, productive, and accessible to everyone. Note 4. The TWIML AI Podcast 4. The TWIML AI Podcast The TWIML AI Podcast Note: Sam Charrington’s discussions with top industry experts on cutting-edge machine learning and AI technologies, providing valuable knowledge for researchers, engineers, and tech leaders. Note : Sam Charrington’s discussions with top industry experts on cutting-edge machine learning and AI technologies, providing valuable knowledge for researchers, engineers, and tech leaders. Note 5. Unsupervised Learning 5. Unsupervised Learning Unsupervised Learning Note: By AI / Security Researcher and Entrepreneur, Daniel Miessler. Unsupervised Learning is a website, newsletter, and podcast about how to survive and thrive as humans in a post-AI world. Note : By AI / Security Researcher and Entrepreneur, Daniel Miessler. Unsupervised Learning is a website, newsletter, and podcast about how to survive and thrive as humans in a post-AI world. Note 6. The Cognitive Revolution 6. The Cognitive Revolution The Cognitive Revolution Note: A weekly podcast where host Nathan Labenz interviews AI innovators, diving into the transformative impact AI will have in the near future. Note : A weekly podcast where host Nathan Labenz interviews AI innovators, diving into the transformative impact AI will have in the near future. Note 7. Latent Space Podcast 7. Latent Space Podcast Latent Space Podcast Note: Top 10 US Tech podcast. Exploring AI UX, Agents, Devtools, Infra, Open Source Models for AI Engineers. Note : Top 10 US Tech podcast. Exploring AI UX, Agents, Devtools, Infra, Open Source Models for AI Engineers. Note Afterwords Afterwords This list may get updated after time. But keep practicing while learning theory is the best way to go—using AI via self-hosting local LLMs, like my Homebrew AI Lab . It was done in 2023 and there are better tools nowadays, such as Ollama , jan and llamafile , which provide user friendly, efficiency and privacy. I found harbor as a great testbed for experimenting with different LLM stack. So there might be new post on that in the near future. my Homebrew AI Lab Ollama jan llamafile harbor
