Core Concepts
Foundation Model
Definition
A large AI model trained on broad data that can be adapted to a wide range of downstream tasks. Foundation models (like GPT-4, Claude, or Llama) serve as a "foundation" that can be fine-tuned or prompted for specific applications.
In Plain English
A general-purpose AI brain that can be specialised for different jobs. Like how a university degree gives you broad knowledge that you can then apply to a specific career, a foundation model provides general intelligence that can be tailored to specific tasks.