Evolutionary Model Merge - New Technique to Merge LLMs

Fahd Mirza
22 Mar 202408:15

TLDRThe video introduces a groundbreaking technique by AI Labs for merging AI models using an evolutionary approach. This method divides the problem into merging parameters and arranging layers, utilizing algorithms like CMA-ES and NSGA-II for optimization. It allows for the automatic creation of new models with user-specified capabilities by combining over 500,000 open-source models on Hugging Face. The technique also discovers innovative ways to merge models from different domains, exemplified by the successful integration of a Japanese language model with a math reasoning model, enhancing its capabilities and knowledge base.

Takeaways

  • 🧬 Merging AI models, also known as model ensemble or fusion, can significantly enhance performance, reliability, and robustness by combining strengths and compensating for weaknesses.
  • 🔍 This approach can lead to improved accuracy, generalization, and decision-making capabilities across various tasks and datasets, reducing the impact of overfitting.
  • 🌐 The new model merging technique by AI Labs uses an evolutionary approach to efficiently discover the best ways to combine different models, leveraging diverse learning patterns.
  • 🔑 The problem is divided into two components: merging parameters using D-ties algorithms and optimizing configuration with CMA-ES, and arranging layers with scaling weights using NSGA-II.
  • 📚 The method is based on thorough research detailed in a research paper, which is linked in the video's description.
  • 🌐 Hugging Face has over 500,000 models in various modalities that could potentially be combined to form new models with new capabilities.
  • 🤖 The technique can automatically create new foundation models with desired capabilities specified by the user, leveraging the collective intelligence of existing open models.
  • 🌐 The approach can discover novel ways to merge models from different domains, such as non-English language or math, in non-trivial ways that might be challenging for human experts.
  • 🚗 An example given is the use of an evolutionary algorithm to automate the design of a 2D car that can travel far, demonstrating the power of natural selection in design optimization.
  • 🔄 The evolutionary model merge combines two approaches: merging models in data flow space by discovering the best combinations of layers, and in parameter space by evolving new ways of mixing model weights.
  • 🌐 The method has been tested with Japanese large language models capable of math reasoning and vision language models, showing the potential for enhanced capabilities and knowledge acquisition.

Q & A

  • What is the concept of merging AI models?

    -Merging AI models, also known as model ensemble or fusion, is a technique that combines different AI models to enhance performance, reliability, and robustness. It improves accuracy, generalization, and decision-making capabilities by leveraging the strengths of individual models and compensating for their weaknesses.

  • How does merging models help in reducing overfitting?

    -Merging models can reduce the impact of overfitting by incorporating diverse perspectives and methodologies, leading to more stable and reliable predictions. It creates a more comprehensive and resilient AI solution that can handle complex scenarios more effectively.

  • What is the new technique released by AI Labs for merging models?

    -AI Labs has released a new technique for merging models based on an evolutionary approach. This method divides the problem into merging parameters and arranging layers, using evolutionary algorithms to optimize the configuration and sequence of layers.

  • What is the significance of the research paper mentioned in the script?

    -The research paper provides a detailed account of the novel application of evolutionary algorithms in merging AI models. It offers insights into the methodology and results of this new approach to creating more efficient and robust AI solutions.

  • How does the evolutionary model merge technique work?

    -The evolutionary model merge technique works by using evolutionary algorithms to discover the best ways to combine different models. It involves merging models in data flow space by discovering the best combinations of layers and merging in parameter space by evolving new ways of mixing the weights of multiple models.

  • What is the role of Hugging Face in this context?

    -Hugging Face has a vast collection of over 500,000 models in different modalities that can be combined to form new models with new capabilities. The evolutionary model merge technique works with this collective intelligence to automatically create new foundation models with desired capabilities specified by the user.

  • How does the technique discover novel ways to merge models from different domains?

    -The evolutionary model merge technique is able to automatically discover novel ways to merge different models from vastly different domains, such as non-English language or math, in non-trivial ways that might be difficult for human experts to discover themselves.

  • What is an example of the evolutionary model merge technique applied to a real-world scenario?

    -An example application is the merging of a Japanese large language model capable of math reasoning with a Japanese vision language model. This enhances the model's Japanese reading and writing skills and allows it to acquire knowledge about Japan.

  • How does the evolutionary algorithm automate the design process in other fields?

    -The evolutionary algorithm has been applied to automate design in various fields such as space antenna design, floor plans in architecture, and the creation of stronger and lighter parts of spacecraft.

  • Is the evolutionary model merge technique available for public use?

    -As of the script's information, the evolutionary model merge technique is not available on GitHub as it has only been open-sourced for evaluation purposes. However, the models created using this technique are present on Hugging Face.

  • What are the potential applications and opportunities of the evolutionary model merge technique?

    -The evolutionary model merge technique opens up limitless opportunities for innovation in AI. It allows for the creation of new models with enhanced capabilities, automatic discovery of novel merging strategies, and the potential for significant advancements in AI performance and reliability.

Outlines

00:00

🧠 Evolutionary AI Model Merging Technique

The script introduces an innovative method for merging AI models, known as model ensemble or fusion, which aims to enhance performance, reliability, and robustness of AI systems. By combining the strengths of individual models, this approach can improve accuracy, generalization, and decision-making capabilities across various tasks and datasets. It also helps to mitigate overfitting by incorporating diverse perspectives. The script discusses a new technique by Sakana Doai from AI Labs, which uses evolutionary algorithms to merge model parameters and arrange layers efficiently. The method is backed by thorough research and is capable of automatically creating new foundation models with user-specified capabilities. The script also highlights the method's ability to discover novel ways to merge models from different domains, such as non-English language or math, in ways that might be challenging for human experts. An example of an evolutionary algorithm is given, showing how it can be used to automate the design of a 2D car that can travel far, illustrating the power of natural selection in evolving effective designs.

05:01

🛰️ Applying Evolutionary Algorithms in Model Merging

This paragraph delves deeper into the evolutionary model merging technique, explaining how it combines two different approaches: merging models in data flow space and parameter space. In data flow space, the method uses evolution to discover the best combinations of layers from different models to form a new model. Intuition and heuristics guide the combination process. In parameter space, the method evolves new ways of mixing the weights of multiple models, addressing the challenge of finding novel mixing strategies among infinite possibilities. The script provides examples from a Japanese model, 'Evo VM JP', which demonstrates the model's ability to answer questions in both Japanese and English, showcasing the benefits of merging language models. The script concludes by mentioning that while the model merging technique is not yet available on GitHub, it is present on Hugging Face, and the presenter plans to create a video on local installation. The potential for innovation and opportunities with this technique is emphasized, inviting viewers to subscribe for more content.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡AI Models

AI Models, or Artificial Intelligence models, refer to the computational representations of various algorithms and statistical models that are used to perform tasks that typically require human intelligence, such as understanding natural language, recognizing images, or making decisions. In the context of the video, AI models are being merged to create a more robust and reliable system by combining their strengths and compensating for their weaknesses.

💡Model Ensemble

Model Ensemble is a technique in machine learning where multiple models are combined to improve the overall performance of the system. It helps in reducing the impact of overfitting and enhances the accuracy and generalization capabilities of AI systems. In the video, the concept of merging AI models is synonymous with model ensemble, aiming to create a more comprehensive AI solution.

💡Evolutionary Algorithms

Evolutionary Algorithms are a subset of optimization algorithms that use mechanisms inspired by biological evolution, such as reproduction, mutation, recombination, and selection. They are employed to find approximate solutions to difficult optimization problems. The video discusses a novel application of these algorithms in merging AI models, optimizing the configuration and discovering the best ways to combine different models.

💡CMA-ES

CMA-ES stands for Covariance Matrix Adaptation Evolution Strategy, which is a sophisticated algorithm for derivative-free optimization of non-linear and non-convex continuous functions. In the script, it is mentioned as the method used to optimize the configuration when merging parameters of AI models.

💡NSGA-II

NSGA-II, or Non-dominated Sorting Genetic Algorithm II, is a renowned multi-objective optimization algorithm that is used for engineering and scientific applications. It is highlighted in the video as the method used to optimize the sequence of layers with different models and to rescale the inputs, contributing to the evolutionary model merge technique.

💡Parameter Space

In the context of AI models, Parameter Space refers to the set of all possible values that the parameters of a model can take. The video describes an approach where the evolutionary algorithm is used to evolve new ways of mixing the weights of multiple models within this parameter space, leading to the creation of novel models.

💡Data Flow Space

Data Flow Space pertains to the arrangement and combination of layers from different models to form a new model. The script explains that the evolutionary model merge technique uses an evolutionary approach to discover the best combinations of layers from various models in the data flow space.

💡Hugging Face

Hugging Face is an open-source platform that provides a wide range of pre-trained AI models, particularly in the field of natural language processing. The video mentions that Hugging Face has over 500,000 models that could potentially be combined using the new merging technique to form new models with desired capabilities.

💡Foundation Models

Foundation Models refer to large-scale AI models that are pre-trained on a wide variety of data and can be fine-tuned for specific tasks. The script discusses how the evolutionary model merge technique can automatically create new foundation models with capabilities specified by the user.

💡Evolutionary Design

Evolutionary Design is a process where designs evolve through a series of iterations, guided by principles similar to natural evolution, such as selection and mutation. The video provides an example of using an evolutionary algorithm to automate the design of a 2D car, demonstrating how this approach can lead to efficient and effective designs that might be unintuitive but highly functional.

Highlights

Merging AI models, also known as model ensemble or fusion, enhances performance, reliability, and robustness by combining strengths and compensating for weaknesses.

The approach can improve accuracy, generalization, and decision-making capabilities across diverse tasks and datasets.

Merging models can reduce overfitting by incorporating diverse perspectives and methodologies.

AI Labs has released a new technique to merge models based on an evolutionary approach.

The problem is divided into merging parameters and arranging layers, supported by thorough research.

Differential evolution algorithms and CMA-ES are used to optimize configuration.

The optimal sequence of layers with different models is found using NSGA-II.

Evolutionary model merge is a method to combine different models from a vast ocean of open-source models.

The method can automatically create new foundation models with desired capabilities specified by the user.

The approach can discover novel ways to merge models from different domains, like non-English language or math.

The technique has been tested with a Japanese large language model capable of math reasoning and a Japanese vision language model.

Evolutionary algorithms are used to automate the design of a 2D car that travels far, demonstrating natural selection over generations.

Evolutionary algorithms have been applied to designing space antenna, floor plans, and architecture.

The method combines merging models in data flow space and parameter space for novel mixing strategies.

The blog post provides various examples of the Japanese model, Evo VM JP, showcasing its capabilities.

The model can answer questions in both Japanese and English, enhancing its reading and writing skills and knowledge about Japan.

The model is available on Hugging Face, but the actual model merging is not open-sourced yet.

The opportunities and innovation in model merging are limitless, offering exciting prospects for AI development.