Apple launched Ferret, an LLM

In a subtle but significant move, Apple, in collaboration with Columbia University, released a multimodal Large Language Model (LLM) named Ferret in October 2023. This open-source release, primarily for research, passed almost unnoticed. However, the tech and AI communities are now recognizing its potential, especially with the rising interest in local LLMs for small devices.

Ferret’s release challenges Apple’s usual approach. Apple is known for its exclusive ecosystem. But Ferret marks a new direction. “Apple joined the open source AI community in October,” noted a European non-profit leader Bart de Witte. “Ferret’s introduction is a testament to Apple’s commitment to impactful AI research,” he added.

Apple’s recent breakthroughs further spotlight the significance of Ferret. The company unveiled two research papers on 3D avatars and efficient language model inference. These advancements could enable immersive visual experiences on iPhones and iPads.

The AI community is now abuzz about Apple’s role in advancing multimodal AI. Ferret, while initially overlooked, represents a significant stride in AI research. Its impact is beginning to be appreciated, especially with the prospect of Local Large Language Models (LLLMs) becoming integrated into consumer devices like iPhones.

“I’m looking forward to the day when LLLMs run on my iPhone,” de Witte expressed. He echoed growing excitement for the future of AI in everyday technology. Apple’s foray into open-source AI with Ferret might just redefine how we interact with our devices, blending advanced AI capabilities into our daily digital experience.