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Small models, big impact: 3 projects changing AI
Welcome to edition #41 of the We ❤️ Open Source newsletter!
You don't need massive infrastructure or billion-parameter models to build powerful AI. This week we're exploring why smaller, open models are democratizing AI development, how to finally understand the difference between AI, ML, and deep learning with real-world examples, and how open source FPGA platforms scaled methane detection from the lab to industrial gas fields.
We're featuring Sriram Raghavan from IBM on the We ❤️ Open Source podcast breaking down why "small is the new big" in AI accessibility, plus Learn Linux TV's guide to the cut command for surgical text processing, and how interpretable AI is bringing early Alzheimer's detection to underserved communities.
As always, our goal is to raise your open source IQ and share the stories of the people shaping the open source world—through content made and curated by real humans.🙂
This week we'll look at...
Hands-On AI Workshops
Monday, March 23 in Durham, NC
We love in-person events, and we really love hands-on deep dives into our favorite technologies. Two world-class all-day workshops are taking place in March at All Things AI - AI for DevOps and AI for Business Executives. Check them out and consider joining us in Durham, NC March 23 & 24. There is no better time to gain new skills and understanding than right now.
Articles
 | Confused by the difference between AI, machine learning, and deep learning? You are not alone. This practical guide breaks it all down with real engineering examples, from spam filters to self-driving cars. No hype, just clear explanations you can actually apply in the real world. WHY WE ❤️ IT: We love how this article breaks down each term with practical examples, but we really appreciate how it wraps up - by showing how all the parts fit together (assisted by an easy-to-understand graphic) and practical implications for individuals and businesses. Well done! |
 | Your lab prototype works perfectly. But can it scale to hundreds of remote sites? Learn how LongPath Technologies moved Nobel Prize-winning laser spectroscopy from controlled labs to industrial gas fields using open source FPGA platforms. Discover why source code access, community-driven improvements, and flexible hardware integration made the difference between a blocked project and deployed solution monitoring methane across 50 square kilometers. WHY WE ❤️ IT: We absolutely love the section titled "Why open source made the difference" that clearly demonstrates how open source can provide advantages proprietary systems can't match. A truly great example of how open source is changing the world. |
 | What if Alzheimer's could be detected early enough to make a difference? Discover how open source AI, clinical interpretability, and equitable design are bringing early detection to rural clinics and underserved communities. Learn the technical approach behind 97.67% accurate classification, Grad-CAM overlays, and why transparent AI matters more than raw performance in healthcare. WHY WE ❤️ IT: We LOVE the fact you can explore the GitHub repositories and contribute or adapt them for your next project. CNN Model and API Service links are included! |
What's in your technology toolbox?
Tired of manually parsing text files or writing complex scripts just to extract a column? The Linux cut command does it in one line. This week, Learn Linux TV shows you how to slice through structured data with surgical precision using delimiters and fields.
From the We ❤️ Open Source Podcast
 | "Small is the new big." You don't need massive infrastructure to innovate with AI. IBM's Sriram Raghavan explains how smaller, open models are powering a new era of accessible, transparent AI. Plus, discover three open source projects proving that the future of AI belongs to everyone—and how developers everywhere can get involved. |
Wrap Up
If you've made it this far (thank you!), check out everything we do, our YouTube channel with 1000's of open source talks, the many meetups we host around the southeast and NYC, the All Things AI spring event we co-host, and of course All Things Open, the largest open source tech conference on the US east coast.
We hope you learn something new this weekend!
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