How Chat models work

Some thoughts on the recent ‘craze’ about GPT-oriented chat models, how they started and where they are going.


What are Chat Models?

Underlying technology

Chat models like ChatGPT, also known as conversational AI or chatbots, are built using a type of artificial intelligence called natural language processing (NLP). NLP allows machines to understand and respond to human language, which is critical for creating a conversational experience.

ChatGPT is specifically based on a type of NLP called transformer models, which use a neural network architecture to process and generate language. This architecture allows the model to process sequences of words in a more efficient and effective way than previous models, resulting in more coherent and contextually relevant responses.

The model is trained on massive amounts of text data, such as web pages, books, and other sources of human language. During training, the model learns to recognize patterns and relationships in language, allowing it to generate responses that are contextually relevant and semantically meaningful.

When a user interacts with ChatGPT, their input is processed by the model, which generates a response based on the patterns it has learned during training. The response is then presented to the user, who can continue the conversation by providing further input.

Overall, ChatGPT works by leveraging advanced NLP techniques to understand and generate human language, allowing it to simulate natural conversation with users.

Midjourney generated image of a girl chatting with a robot

How they keep context in a conversation

ChatGPT is designed to keep track of context within a chat in order to generate more relevant and coherent responses. The model accomplishes this by using a technique called attention mechanism.

The attention mechanism allows the model to pay attention to specific words or phrases in the input that are most relevant to generating the response. This means that the model can focus on specific pieces of information that are most important for understanding the context of the conversation.

In addition, ChatGPT is a type of language model that generates responses based on the entire conversation history, rather than just the most recent input. This means that the model is able to maintain a more complete understanding of the conversation and can generate responses that take into account everything that has been said so far.

By keeping track of context in this way, ChatGPT is able to generate responses that are more relevant to the ongoing conversation, and that take into account the specific topics and information that have been discussed previously. This helps to create a more natural and engaging conversational experience for users.

Midjourney generated image of a girl chatting with a robot