Demystified AI Lingo: LLM vs. LMM
In my last article on Essential AI terminologies for Product Designers, I gave a high-level view of what key terms designers needed to familiarise themselves with as a Product Designer. Two terms I’ve come across that have really stuck out to me as being essential as a designer are LLM (Large Language Model) and LMM (Large Multimodal Model). At first, I was a bit confused, but I think I have the understanding nails down now. I’ve even created a concept project for it in my portfolio.
The LLM: A Language Guru
Imagine a super-powered bookworm who's devoured almost everything ever written. That's an LLM! It's an AI genius at understanding and generating human language. Think of Microsoft's ChatGPT—your virtual wordsmith for emails, questions, or even poems, all learned from massive amounts of text data taken from most public online domains.
The LMM: The Multitasking Mastermind
An LMM, on the other hand, is like a jack-of-all-trades AI. Take Google's Gemini, for example. It goes beyond text and understands pictures, sounds, and videos, too. Think of it as a super-smart AI that can analyse a photo, listen to music, and read an article, grasping everything!
LLM vs. LMM: What Sets Them Apart?
The key difference lies in their abilities. LLMs like ChatGPT are language wizards but struggle with images or sounds. LMMs like Gemini are more versatile, handling all sorts of data—text, pictures, videos, the whole package. However, from my understanding, LLMs still reign supreme for purely text-based tasks.
Choosing the Right AI Tool
The choice between ChatGPT and Gemini depends on your needs. Need writing help? ChatGPT is your go-to. However, Gemini or Midjourney might be more useful for creative projects involving different data types, which I feel is better at image generation.
AI for Businesses: Picking the Perfect Partner
Most businesses have invested heavily—and when I say heavily, we are talking Billions, mate—in AI but have yet to see returns as they don’t know which AI partner to pick. Businesses need the right tool for the job. Need help with customer service chats or reports? ChatGPT's your friend. However, Gemini could be your ally for marketing or product design, which involves various content types, such as Figmas' new AI tool. More on that another time.
The Takeaway: AI Made Simple
The world of AI might seem complex, but understanding LLM and LMM is a significant first step. Whether you're a junior product designer or more senior, you could be a tech enthusiast or just curious like me. Knowing these terms helps you navigate the latest AI trends. As AI advances, these technologies will become more integrated into our daily lives, if not already 👀, and we don’t know it. Making us work more “smarter” and more efficiently.
Alternatively, while AI is a powerful tool, relying on it exclusively can hinder a designer's critical thinking. In my experience, groundbreaking ideas often stem from unconventional approaches and the evolution of existing concepts. Unlike AI, which is limited to processing existing data, humans continually adapt and innovate to meet changing needs and demands. But AGI may change this in a few years.
So, the next time you hear "LLM" or "LMM," you'll be a pro! Or have some sort of Idea of what they are talking about.😅