From fundamentals to frontier: My journey in NLP & LLMs
A series for NLP by a Nvidia Certified Associate, AI researcher at Vizuara AI Labs
Hello, I'm Sharvesh Subhash, an AI researcher, Nvidia Certified Associate in GenAI LLM, and the creator of the YouTube lecture series NLP from Scratch. My journey into Natural Language Processing (NLP) began with an unexpected moment that transformed my career. I still remember when my NLP model completely misunderstood a simple sentence written in "Tanglish" (Tamil/Thamizh transliterated into English). My algorithm was utterly confused by that social media post, and that messy experiment sparked a fascination that set me on a lifelong quest to understand the intricacies of human language.
Early challenges to global collaborations
That early misadventure with Tanglish was not just a humorous hiccup, it was the spark that ignited my passion for NLP. I dove headfirst into learning and tinkering, gradually evolving from a novice into a skilled practitioner. Before long, I found myself collaborating on a global open-source project to build an NLP model aimed at detecting fake job postings, protecting job seekers from scams.
Fast forward a few years, and I was fine-tuning cutting-edge models like BERT to answer questions and recognize names in text. I even experimented with Llama2 to build a voice-based AI assistant. Each project deepened my understanding—from the importance of clean, structured data to the quirks of human language that even sophisticated AI struggles to capture.
Laying the groundwork, the essentials of NLP
Every digital interaction you have, whether it is searching for a contact on your phone or chatting with an AI assistant, it relies on core NLP tasks.
From text cleaning and feature extraction to part-of-speech tagging, these fundamentals form the backbone of modern language processing systems.
Understanding these basics is crucial, as they equip you with the skills needed not only to build models but also to troubleshoot and refine them. This foundation is what allows you to gradually transition into working with advanced Large Language Models (LLMs) like GPT, ChatGPT-O3, Deepseek R1, and Claude 3.7, eventually with multi-agent frameworks.
Transitioning from NLP to LLMs
Jumping directly into LLMs without a solid grasp of NLP can lead to significant challenges. I have learned firsthand that a step-by-step progression, from mastering simple NLP techniques to tackling sophisticated LLM architectures is essential. A few years ago, when "Transformer" was just a buzzword in research circles, few could have predicted its explosive impact on translation tools, chatbots, and more. Today, transformers form the backbone of nearly every modern AI application.
This methodical approach not only builds technical expertise but also reinforces ethical practices. With a deep understanding of NLP, you’re better equipped to ensure that your models are transparent, accountable, and free of unintended biases.
Accountability, ethics, and the real-world Impact
One of the most critical lessons I’ve learned is that true mastery in AI comes with responsibility. It’s not enough to simply build applications; you must understand why they behave the way they do. This accountability is essential, especially when deploying technologies that can influence real lives. Whether it’s the ethical dilemmas of a misinterpreted language or the potential biases in a model’s output, a strong foundation in NLP helps you navigate these challenges with confidence.
By grounding your skills in robust NLP fundamentals, you not only improve your technical capabilities but also ensure that your work contributes positively to society.
Introducing NLP from scratch: A free lecture series
Seeing NLP transition from a niche field to a mainstream technology has been nothing short of incredible. My non-tech friends now casually discuss GPT, and AI is a hot topic everywhere. This evolution is a major reason why I believe now is the perfect time to dive into NLP.
I am thrilled to announce NLP from Scratch, a free lecture series on YouTube that I have crafted to guide you from the very basics of language processing to advanced topics like chatbots and Large Language Models. Drawing from my personal experiences, right from that memorable Tanglish experiment to my work on global projects, I have packaged all the “aha!” moments and hard-earned lessons into a structured, no-nonsense format.
Whether you are completely new to NLP, an enthusiast looking to brush up on your skills, or a seasoned developer curious about the latest in LLMs, there is something in this series for you. We will be relying upon the “Practical Natural Language Processing” book for fundamentals plus, I will even highlight key connections to the NVIDIA Certified Associate exam for those interested in industry certifications.
Join me on this transformative journey
I invite you to embark on this transformative journey with me. Start with the very first lecture, take thorough notes, and immerse yourself in the fascinating world of NLP and LLMs. This series is designed to be both accessible and deep; blending theory with hands-on examples and real-world applications.
Your future in AI begins with a single step. Watch the NLP from Scratch lecture series on YouTube, and join a community of aspiring innovators ready to unlock the full potential of natural language processing.
Ready to transform your understanding of AI?
Click the link below and start your journey with NLP from Scratch today!
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