AI for Beginners vs 
LLMs from Scratch
AI for Beginners vs LLMs from Scratch compared for 2026 — features, license, ease of use, performance and which one to choose. From symbolic AI to neural networks vs Build a GPT from nothing, line by line.
Updated regularly · curated by OpenSourceAI.tech
AI for Beginners vs LLMs from Scratch at a glance
| Spec | AI for Beginners | LLMs from Scratch |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Learn AI & machine learning | Learn AI & machine learning |
| Type | Curriculum (12 weeks) | Book + code |
| License | MIT | Apache-2.0 |
| Runs locally | Yes | Yes |
| Primary language | Jupyter | Python |
| Ease of use | Beginner | Intermediate |
| Best for | understanding AI broadly, not just deep learning | genuinely understanding how an LLM works |
| GitHub stars | 52.2k | 99k |
How AI for Beginners and LLMs from Scratch score
| Criterion | AI for Beginners | LLMs from Scratch |
|---|---|---|
| Popularity | 4.5 | 4.5 |
| Maintenance | 5.0 | 5.0 |
| Ease of use | 5.0 | 3.5 |
| Privacy | 5.0 | 5.0 |
| License freedom | 5.0 | 5.0 |
Scores are computed automatically from public signals — GitHub stars (popularity), recent commit activity (maintenance), license type (freedom), local-first design (privacy) and onboarding complexity (ease of use). Indicative, not a verdict.
What each one is
AI for Beginners
Microsoft's 12-week AI curriculum covering the history of AI, symbolic approaches, neural networks, computer vision and NLP, with runnable notebooks throughout.
- Covers the full breadth of AI, not just the trendy parts
- Works with both TensorFlow and PyTorch
- Free and genuinely well-structured
LLMs from Scratch
Sebastian Raschka's companion repository to "Build a Large Language Model (From Scratch)": you implement attention, a transformer, pretraining and fine-tuning yourself, in plain PyTorch.
- You build every component yourself — no black boxes
- Runs on a laptop, no cluster needed
- The clearest explanation of attention anywhere
Key differences
AI for Beginners is curriculum (12 weeks), while LLMs from Scratch is book + code. Their licenses differ (MIT vs Apache-2.0), which matters if you ship a commercial product. AI for Beginners leans more beginner-friendly, whereas LLMs from Scratch is more suited to intermediate users. In short, AI for Beginners fits understanding AI broadly, not just deep learning, and LLMs from Scratch fits genuinely understanding how an LLM works.
Which should you choose?
Choose AI for Beginners for understanding AI broadly, not just deep learning. Choose LLMs from Scratch for genuinely understanding how an LLM works.
There is rarely one winner — many setups use both. The right pick depends on your hardware, your team's skills, and whether you value simplicity or control.
Frequently asked questions
Is AI for Beginners or LLMs from Scratch easier to use?
AI for Beginners is generally the easier of the two to get started with, while LLMs from Scratch rewards more setup with more control.
Are AI for Beginners and LLMs from Scratch free?
AI for Beginners is free and open source (MIT), and LLMs from Scratch is free and open source (Apache-2.0). Neither charges for the core software.
Can I run AI for Beginners and LLMs from Scratch locally?
AI for Beginners: yes · LLMs from Scratch: yes. Both can be used without sending your data to a third-party cloud where their setup allows.
AI for Beginners vs LLMs from Scratch — which should I pick in 2026?
Choose AI for Beginners for understanding AI broadly, not just deep learning. Choose LLMs from Scratch for genuinely understanding how an LLM works.
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