Geek Project: Hand-Coding a Transformer LLM from Scratch on a Flight

imdigitalashish · x · 2026-08-12

A developer built a ChatGPT-like Transformer LLM entirely from scratch during a flight, without internet access or AI assistance.

Relying only on pure math and manual coding, the developer humorously noted that the only 'cheating' involved was keeping math formulas on hand for reference, demonstrating a hardcore understanding of underlying model principles.

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