LLM Performance Primer: What Actually Makes AI Fast
Not all AI is created equal. Some feel instant. Some feel like watching paint dry. Here’s what’s actually going on under the hood. ⏱️ TTFT — Time To First Token How fast does the first word appear? You: "Explain quantum computing" Bad TTFT: [........] ← 3 seconds of silence 😬 Good TTFT: [█ ] ← first word appears fast 😊 This is what makes a model feel responsive. Even if the full answer takes time, a fast TTFT makes it feel alive. ...