Title: Apple’s Open Source LLM Ferret Ignites Buzz in AI Community
In a surprising move, Apple and Columbia University jointly unveiled an open-source multimodal Large Language Model (LLM) named Ferret in October 2023. However, the release initially garnered little attention. It was only after recent headlines featuring open-source models from Mistral and Google’s Gemini model that increased chatter about the potential of local LLMs on small devices began to surface.
Recognizing the growing demand for more powerful LLMs on consumer devices, Apple has announced a breakthrough in deploying LLMs on iPhones. The tech giant released new research papers on 3D avatars and efficient language model inference, paving the way for more immersive visual experiences and enabling complex AI systems to run seamlessly on devices like iPhones and iPads.
Apple’s unexpected entry into the open-source LLM landscape has been met with praise from the AI community. Known for its closed system approach, Apple’s decision to embrace the open-source movement highlights the company’s commitment to impactful AI research. Bart de Witte, who leads a European non-profit organization focused on open-source AI in medicine, commended Apple’s dedication to advancing AI in a collaborative manner.
Tristan Behrens, a renowned German AI music artist and advisor, took to LinkedIn to highlight Apple’s recent release of a Multimodal Large Language Model. This landmark development has captured the attention of industry professionals and AI enthusiasts alike.
Tech blogger Ben Dickson weighed in on Apple’s move, stating that it made perfect sense for Apple to release open-source LLMs as the company competes with models like ChatGPT. By embracing open-source principles, Apple has positioned itself to tap into the vast potential of collaborative AI advancements.
Interestingly, Apple’s venture into open-source and local ML developments aligns with reports of significant funding raises for proprietary LLM development efforts by Anthropic and OpenAI. These concurrent developments underscore the heightened interest and investment being poured into advancing LLM technology.
With the release of Ferret, Apple has expanded its presence in the AI landscape, capturing the attention of both developers and consumers. By making powerful language models more accessible, Apple is driving toward a future where AI is seamlessly integrated into small, consumer-grade devices, revolutionizing the way we interact with technology.
As the AI community eagerly awaits further developments from Apple, the company’s open-source initiatives have injected new energy and excitement into the world of LLMs, redefining possibilities for AI integration and innovation.
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