December 8, 2024

LLM Learning Corner: Inferencing & Training

Discover the two pillars of LLMs—Training and Inferencing—and learn how they form the foundation of modern AI, with insights from Devolved AI’s decentralized approach.

Written by

Jack Morello

Two Pillars of LLMs: Training and Inferencing

Large Language Models (LLMs) are the cornerstone of modern AI systems, enabling applications like chatbots, AI agents, and content generation. Their transformative power rests on two fundamental pillars: Training and Inferencing. These pillars are not just processes—they represent the entire lifecycle of an LLM, from learning to delivering value in real-world scenarios.

1. Training: Building the Foundation

Training is where the magic of an LLM begins. It’s the phase where the model learns to understand and generate human-like language by analyzing massive amounts of data.

How Training Works:

  1. Data Collection:some text
    • Text data is gathered from books, websites, articles, and other sources to form a comprehensive dataset.
    • The quality of the dataset determines the model’s ability to generalize and provide accurate outputs.
  2. Model Learning:some text
    • LLMs use neural network architectures like transformers to identify relationships between words, phrases, and concepts in the dataset.
    • The model essentially predicts the next word in a sequence, refining its understanding with each iteration.
  3. Fine-Tuning:some text
    • After pretraining, the model is fine-tuned for specific tasks or domains, such as customer support, legal document analysis, or medical diagnostics.

Why Training Is a Pillar:

  • It creates the model’s knowledge base and its ability to generalize language.
  • Without robust training, the LLM would lack the foundational understanding required to perform tasks effectively.

2. Inferencing: Applying the Knowledge

Inferencing is the second pillar of LLMs, where the model’s knowledge is put into action. It’s the process of using a trained model to perform real-world tasks, from answering questions to generating creative content.

How Inferencing Works:

  1. Input Processing:some text
    • The model receives a question, command, or text prompt as input.
    • Example: “Write a summary of this document” or “What’s the weather like in New York?”
  2. Output Generation:some text
    • The LLM uses its learned patterns to predict the best possible response.
    • This involves calculating probabilities for potential outputs and selecting the most relevant one.
  3. Task Optimization:some text
    • Inferencing can be optimized for speed or accuracy, depending on the application. For instance, chatbots prioritize real-time responsiveness, while research applications might focus on generating detailed insights.

Why Inferencing Is a Pillar:

  • It translates the model’s training into practical utility, bridging the gap between theory and real-world use.
  • Without effective inferencing, the knowledge gained during training would remain untapped.

Training vs. Inferencing: The Dynamic Duo

Interdependence:

Training and inferencing are inseparable pillars of an LLM’s lifecycle:

  • Training provides knowledge and adaptability.
  • Inferencing delivers the value and real-world functionality.
    One cannot exist without the other—training without inferencing is theoretical, while inferencing without training is impossible.

Devolved AI’s Take on Training and Inferencing

At Devolved AI, we’ve designed a decentralized ecosystem that enhances both pillars:

  • Decentralized Training:
    Validators on ARGOchain contribute to training Athena2, ensuring transparency and collaboration. This approach enables continuous refinement of the model’s capabilities while decentralizing control.
  • Transparent Inferencing:
    AI agent activity and model outputs are logged on ARGOchain, allowing users to verify the inferencing process. This ensures accountability, a feature missing in traditional AI systems.

Why These Pillars Matter

Training and inferencing together define the transformative power of LLMs:

  • Training builds a model’s ability to generalize and adapt to complex tasks.
  • Inferencing delivers that knowledge in a way that solves real-world problems.

Devolved AI’s decentralized framework not only strengthens these pillars but also gives users ownership, transparency, and control over their AI systems.

The Future of LLMs

As LLM technology evolves, innovations in training efficiency and inferencing scalability will unlock new possibilities. At Devolved AI, we’re committed to advancing these pillars with a decentralized approach, ensuring AI remains accessible, accountable, and adaptable for all.

Ready to join the decentralized AI revolution?

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