Large Language Models (Paperback)

Paperback. Large Language Models: From Foundations to Production AI Applications - Second EditionLearn how Large Language Models work-and how to build, customize, and deploy real-world AI applications from development to production.Large Language Models (LLMs) such as GPT, Claude, Gemini, Llama, Mistral, and DeepSeek are transforming software development, business automation, search, content generation, knowledge management, and enterprise AI. As organizations adopt Generative AI at scale, there is growing demand for professionals who understand not only how LLMs work, but also how to build, customize, deploy, secure, and operate AI-powered applications.Updated for the Second Edition, this practical, hands-on guide provides a structured learning path from the foundations of Artificial Intelligence, Natural Language Processing, and Generative AI to Transformer architectures, modern LLMs, Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG), fine-tuning, and production AI systems. Rather than focusing only on theory, the book combines technical concepts with architecture diagrams, hands-on labs, code examples, and end-to-end projects that demonstrate how modern LLM applications are designed and built.What You'll LearnFoundations of AI, Machine Learning, Deep Learning, NLP, and Generative AIHow LLMs work, including tokenization, embeddings, attention, and Transformer architectureEncoder, decoder, BERT, GPT, and modern language-model architecturesMajor LLM families, including GPT, Claude, Gemini, Llama, Mistral, and DeepSeekAccessing LLMs through APIs and running local models with OllamaPrompt engineering, structured outputs, function calling, tool usage, and reliable LLM workflowsRetrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG), embeddings, vector databases, semantic search, hybrid search, and re-rankingFine-tuning and efficient model adaptation using LoRA, QLoRA, PEFT, adapter layers, and quantizationBuilding AI chatbots, enterprise knowledge assistants, PDF applications, and content-generation systemsLLM evaluation, hallucination detection, security, guardrails, safety, and responsible AI practicesProduction deployment with REST APIs, FastAPI, Docker, cloud platforms, and serverless architecturesMonitoring, logging, caching, load balancing, cost optimization, GPU inference, vLLM, scalability, and high availabilityAI agents and agentic workflowsHands-On ProjectsApply what you learn by building complete end-to-end AI solutions: AI Chatbot - Build a conversational AI application using modern LLM APIs, prompt engineering, backend integration, and deployment.Enterprise Knowledge Assistant - Build a RAG-powered assistant using embeddings, vector search, document retrieval, and organizational knowledge.Local AI Assistant - Build a private AI assistant using Ollama, local LLMs, and a custom knowledge base that can operate locally.Source Code on GitHubCode examples, hands-on labs, and project source code are available through a dedicated GitHub repository, allowing you to follow the implementations, experiment with the examples, and build the solutions yourself.Master the technologies behind modern Large Language Models and start building intelligent, production-ready AI applications. This item is printed on demand. Shipping may be from our UK warehouse or from our Australian or US warehouses, depending on stock availability.…