Uploaded May 2025 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Generative Large Language Models, like ChatGPT and DeepSeek, are trained on massive text based datasets, like the entire Wikipedia. However, this training alone fails to teach the models how to generate polite and useful responses to your prompts. Thus, LLMs rely on Supervised Fine-Tuning and Reinforcement Learning with Human Feedback (RLHF) to align the models to how we actually want to use them. This StatQuest explains every step in training an LLM, with special attention to how RLHF is done.
NOTE: This video is based on the original manuscript for Instruct-GPT: arxiv.org/abs/2203.02155
Also, you should check out Serrano Academy if you can:
youtube.com/@SerranoAcademy
If you'd like to support StatQuest, please consider...
Patreon: patreon.com/statquest
...or...
YouTube Membership: youtube.com/channel/UCtYLUTtgS3k1Fg4y5tAhLbw/join
...buying a book, a study guide, a t-shirt or hoodie, or a song from the StatQuest store...
statquest.org/statquest-store
...or just donating to StatQuest!
paypal: paypal.me/statquest
venmo: @JoshStarmer
Lastly, if you want to keep up with me as I research and create new StatQuests, follow me on twitter:
twitter.com/joshuastarmer
0:00 Awesome song and introduction
2:25 Pre-Training an LLM
5:06 Supervised Fine-Tuning
7:35 Reinforcement Learning with Human Feedback (RLHF)
10:07 RLHF - training the reward model
15:02 RLHF - using the reward model
#StatQuest
Generative Large Language Models, like ChatGPT and DeepSeek, are trained on massive text based datasets, like the entire Wikipedia. However, this training alone fails to teach the models how to generate polite and useful responses to your prompts. Thus, LLMs rely on Supervised Fine-Tuning and Reinforcement Learning with Human Feedback (RLHF) to align the models to how we actually want to use them. This StatQuest explains every step in training an LLM, with special attention to how RLHF is done.
NOTE: This video is based on the original manuscript for Instruct-GPT: arxiv.org/abs/2203.02155
Also, you should check out Serrano Academy if you can:
youtube.com/@SerranoAcademy
If you'd like to support StatQuest, please consider...
Patreon: patreon.com/statquest
...or...
YouTube Membership: youtube.com/channel/UCtYLUTtgS3k1Fg4y5tAhLbw/join
...buying a book, a study guide, a t-shirt or hoodie, or a song from the StatQuest store...
statquest.org/statquest-store
...or just donating to StatQuest!
paypal: paypal.me/statquest
venmo: @JoshStarmer
Lastly, if you want to keep up with me as I research and create new StatQuests, follow me on twitter:
twitter.com/joshuastarmer
0:00 Awesome song and introduction
2:25 Pre-Training an LLM
5:06 Supervised Fine-Tuning
7:35 Reinforcement Learning with Human Feedback (RLHF)
10:07 RLHF - training the reward model
15:02 RLHF - using the reward model
#StatQuest
