$\text{Memory}^3$: Language Modeling with Explicit Memory

Authors: Hongkang Yang, Zehao Lin, Wenjin Wang, Hao Wu, Zhiyu Li, Bo Tang, Wenqiang Wei, Jinbo Wang, Zeyun Tang, Shichao Song, Chenyang Xi, Yu Yu, Kai Chen, Feiyu Xiong, Linpeng Tang, Weinan E

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In their paper titled "$\text{Memory}^3$: Language Modeling with Explicit Memory," authors Hongkang Yang, Zehao Lin, Wenjin Wang, Hao Wu, Zhiyu Li, Bo Tang, Wenqiang Wei, Jinbo Wang, Zeyun Tang, Shichao Song, Chenyang Xi, Yu Yu, Kai Chen, Feiyu Xiong,Linpeng Tang,and Weinan E introduce a groundbreaking approach to enhancing large language models (LLMs) by incorporating explicit memory. The concept behind this innovation lies in externalizing a significant portion of the LLM's knowledge into explicit memories. To demonstrate the efficacy of their approach,the authors undertake the task of training a 2.4B LLM from scratch. Named $\text{Memory}^3$ to signify explicit memory as the third form of memory in LLMs after implicit memory (model parameters) and working memory (context key-values), this innovative model is supported by a novel memory circuitry theory that facilitates knowledge externalization. has long been recognized as a crucial component in natural language processing tasks. However, has not been widely explored as an avenue for improving . In their research, propose equipping LLMs with explicit memory as a more cost-effective alternative to model parameters and text retrieval-augmented generation (RAG). This not only reduces computational costs but also improves performance metrics. The training and inference processes of LLMs are traditionally resource-intensive as they involve transferring knowledge from raw data to meaningful computation. Drawing inspiration from the of the human brain,the authors introduce pioneering techniques such as a memory sparsification mechanism for manageable storage and a two-stage pretraining scheme that aids in effective memory formation. These advancements pave the way for future developments in optimizing LLM architectures for enhanced efficiency and effectiveness. Overall, this research represents a significant advancement in language modeling by introducing explicit memory as an efficient means of reducing computational costs associated with large-scale models. The findings not only showcase improved performance metrics but also open doors for further exploration of and its impact on .
AI-generated keywords: Language modeling Explicit memory Large language models Knowledge externalization Computational efficiency

AI-generated Key Points

  • Authors introduce a groundbreaking approach to enhancing large language models (LLMs) by incorporating explicit memory
  • Named $\text{Memory}^3$ to signify explicit memory as the third form of memory in LLMs after implicit memory and working memory
  • Equipping LLMs with explicit memory is proposed as a cost-effective alternative to model parameters and text retrieval-augmented generation (RAG)
  • Introduction of pioneering techniques such as a memory sparsification mechanism and a two-stage pretraining scheme for effective memory formation
  • Research represents a significant advancement in language modeling by reducing computational costs associated with large-scale models
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Abstract: The training and inference of large language models (LLMs) are together a costly process that transports knowledge from raw data to meaningful computation. Inspired by the memory hierarchy of the human brain, we reduce this cost by equipping LLMs with explicit memory, a memory format cheaper than model parameters and text retrieval-augmented generation (RAG). Conceptually, with most of its knowledge externalized to explicit memories, the LLM can enjoy a smaller parameter size, training cost, and inference cost, all proportional to the amount of remaining "abstract knowledge". As a preliminary proof of concept, we train from scratch a 2.4B LLM, which achieves better performance than much larger LLMs as well as RAG models, and maintains higher decoding speed than RAG. The model is named $\text{Memory}^3$, since explicit memory is the third form of memory in LLMs after implicit memory (model parameters) and working memory (context key-values). We introduce a memory circuitry theory to support the externalization of knowledge, and present novel techniques including a memory sparsification mechanism that makes storage tractable and a two-stage pretraining scheme that facilitates memory formation.

Submitted to arXiv on 01 Jul. 2024

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