What it does
Machine Learning Systems is an open textbook series behind Harvard's CS249r course. It focuses on AI engineering: building AI systems that are efficient, reliable and safe in the real world, not just training models.
Alongside the books there are hands-on parts: TinyTorch, where you build the inner workings of an AI library yourself; interactive labs; hardware kits; and a simulator for computing setups you can't access. There are also materials for teachers.
Later volumes cover scaling, AI agents and physical AI such as robotics; some are still being written.
Who it's for
Students, teachers and engineers who want to understand how AI systems are built and run.
Can I use it without coding?
Yes. The books can be read free online. The labs and hardware kits involve programming. New to this? Start here.
Can I run it?
- Cost
- FreeNothing to pay or sign up for.
- Runs on
- Web browser
- Computer
- An ordinary computer is fine
- API key
- Not needed
Try it
- Open the textbook website and start reading Volume I.
- Try the interactive labs to explore the ideas from each chapter.
- Build your own small machine learning framework with the TinyTorch exercises.
Using Claude Code, Cursor or another AI coding assistant? Paste the prompt and it will walk you through the setup.New to this?
Before you install
- Only download from the official GitHub page. Copies with similar names exist for many popular projects.
- No standard license listed. Check the GitHub page before using it for business.
- More on staying safe