LLM Interpretability and Sparse Autoencoders: Research from OpenAI and Anthropic
Jun 14, 2024
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Delve into recent research on LLM interpretability with k-sparse autoencoders from OpenAI and sparse autoencoder scaling laws from Anthropic. Explore the implications for understanding neural activity and extracting interpretable features from language models.
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Quick takeaways
Sparse autoencoders improve interpretability in LLMs, simplifying feature extraction and tuning.
Scaling laws can guide training of sparse autoencoders to extract interpretable features from language models.
Deep dives
Features in Sparse Autoencoders for Model Interpretability
Researchers discussed using sparse autoencoders to map features, striving for interpretability within models. They focused on understanding what happens within layers of neural networks, aiming to comprehend the hidden dimensions and activations. The challenge was to grasp the inner workings of the network, accentuating the imbalance between high-level structural knowledge and specifics on network functionality.
Feature Activation and Behavior Implications
The podcast explored how specific features influence model behavior and the implications of feature manipulation. They delved into the identification of key features affecting model outcomes, striving to refine model outputs by understanding and modulating feature activations. Case examples included altering feature parameters to navigate towards or away from certain subjects or behavioral outputs.
Mapping Features for Model Understanding
The discussion emphasized the significance of accurately detecting and mapping features within models. Researchers employed methods like attribution to assess feature impact on outputs, ablation to measure feature contributions, and geometric metrics to evaluate feature relationships. These insights aimed to enhance comprehension of feature functions and interactions.
Ensuring Model Safety and Ethical Considerations
The podcast underscored the importance of ensuring model safety and ethical considerations within AI applications. They highlighted the need to identify and mitigate potentially harmful features, promoting responsible AI deployment. Research initiatives explored feature steering to prevent adverse outcomes, signalling a concerted effort towards ensuring model safety and ethical AI practices.
It’s been an exciting couple weeks for GenAI! Join us as we discuss the latest research from OpenAI and Anthropic. We’re excited to chat about this significant step forward in understanding how LLMs work and the implications it has for deeper understanding of the neural activity of language models. We take a closer look at some recent research from both OpenAI and Anthropic. These two recent papers both focus on the sparse autoencoder--an unsupervised approach for extracting interpretable features from an LLM. In "Extracting Concepts from GPT-4," OpenAI researchers propose using k-sparse autoencoders to directly control sparsity, simplifying tuning and improving the reconstruction-sparsity frontier. In "Scaling Monosemanticity: Extracting Interpretable Features from Claude 3 Sonnet," researchers at Anthropic show that scaling laws can be used to guide the training of sparse autoencoders, among other findings.