Small is Elegant
Much of what is meant when people talk about AI are Large Language Models such as GPT or Gemini to name two. Yet LLM are only a small subsection of Artificial Intelligence. They are talked about because they are now readily available for people to use and yet there is so much more to this technology. They require huge data centres, which cost billions of pounds/dollars/euros and demand power that only a small power station can supple let alone the scarce water requirement. What ElegantAI tries to do is make AI accessible for everyone and to access in their browser. Not needing a powerful dedicated computer. There is also the possibility of putting AI on a small micro-controller the size of your finger.
Who is this for?
This makes ideal for schools, colleges, libraries and amateur explorer. You don’t have to be a tech genius, or need huge financial backing, anyone can learn, anyone can use, develop and apply. This for any age or background. In the same way that learning to paint is available for everyone it takes practice, determination and patience to learn how to create AI models.
What is Elegant AI all about?
The aim of Elegant AI is to encourage you to explore Artificial Intelligence (AI) through Machine Learning (ML) for various applications. It provides tools, knowledge, and understanding for you to build your own models, which you, hopefully, might use for the benefit and enjoyment of others. What you will experience is a gentle introduction to some very powerful tools.
Elegant AI is designed to be accessible to anyone, regardless of age, coding experience, or background. If you’re a beginner, there’s a tutorial to help you develop your coding skills. If you are a seasoned coder, you might gain some inspiration. You don’t need to be a mathematician, engineer, or scientist, but you do need to be willing to learn.
Through the tutorials, you will learn how to code, understand the key concepts of coding, and build AI models. Then apply them to your particular interests or needs. The limit becomes your imagination; the purpose and the motivation are yours.
To make the platform user-friendly, Elegant AI uses p5.js, a very user-friendly JavaScript library, and ml5.js, a JavaScript library based on TensorFlow.js. The ml5.js library is user-friendly and ideal for beginners and experienced users alike, and it seamlessly integrates with p5.js. All these resources are free to use. You will do your coding in a web browser without the need to download anything. All the tutorials are available as PDFs.
In addition to general coding concepts, Elegant AI will explore robotics (physical computing) in its widest sense and how to harness AI to micro-controllers. This means you can take your ideas into your home, garden, or workplace. The course will start with the basics and gradually build up to embedding AI into a tiny micro-controller.
How to use this website
The course is presented in a downloadable PDF format (all free), where you learn to code using the p5.js IDE, which is integrated into your web browser. This means you don’t need to download anything. You can have the tutorials on screen as you code or print them off. All you need is a computer of some description, a laptop, PC, or tablet, and a web browser, ideally Chrome.
The tutorial format is designed to be step-by-step and enjoyable, allowing you to learn at your own pace. As you progress, you’ll have access to additional examples that explore art, games, and robotics. The tutorials serve as your starting point, providing a fun and interactive way to grasp the fundamental concepts of coding and, in particular, machine learning.
Final Note
Please be aware that all this is a work very much in progress. I’ll be adding, updating, and revamping it regularly. This is a learning journey for me, so you’re joining me on this exciting adventure.