August 28, 2023

Token Limitations of Large Language Models | AI Basics

Blog / Token Limitations of Large Language Models | AI Basics

LLMs (Large Language Models) are types of artificial intelligence programs that generate human-like text. They learn how to produce this text by studying vast amounts of written language and then mimicking the patterns and structures they find. GPT-4 is an example of a large language model. Because these models have to process so much information, they use what are called tokens to help them break down and understand the written language.

What are tokens in language models

Tokens are the basic pieces of text that GPT-4 uses to process and generate language. They are like the building blocks that GPT-4 uses to construct sentences and paragraphs. Tokens can be as short as a single character or as long as a word. This makes it easier for GPT-4 to analyze and predict the tokens in order to generate human-like text. For example, in English, one token is approximately equal to 4 characters or 3/4 of a word.

What are token limitations

Even though GPT-4 is a very powerful language model, it does have some limitations, and one of them is token limitations. Token limitations exist due to the computational constraints of GPT-4, processing a large amount of text requires a lot of computer power and memory. Token limits help to make sure that the model works efficiently and produces meaningful output.

Examples of token limitations in LLMs

The token limits can affect both the input you provide to GPT-4 and the output you get from it. For example, if you provide input text that has more tokens than the limit, you will need to cut it down or split it into smaller parts. The same goes for the output - if the generated text has more tokens than the limit, the text might be cut off.

Working around token limitations

However, as GPT models continue to evolve, the token limitations also change. GPT-4 has a higher token limit than its predecessors, this means you can give it longer inputs and get longer outputs. This can be beneficial if you are writing a book or working on complex projects. You can also try using limited or moving window of context for your generations to fit within the token limit of the model.

Future of token limitations

As technology advances and language models like GPT-4 become more sophisticated, it is expected that token limitations will be increased further. This means you will be able to give even longer inputs and get more detailed outputs. In the future, there may also be improvements to make these models less resource-intensive, which would reduce token limitations.

Make sure your inputs and outputs stay within the model's capabilities. As language models continue to evolve, the possibilities for what they can do will only expand, making it an exciting tool for writers, researchers, and content creators.

Mateusz Drozd
Author
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