Small language models (SLMs) are compact yet powerful artificial intelligence models designed for efficient and customizable natural language processing tasks. Their importance lies in their ability to deliver high performance with lower computational resources, making them accessible for a wide range of applications.
This article provides a comprehensive guide to this evolving field, detailing the development, applications, and architecture of SLMs. The introduction covers the rise of SLMs, highlighting their efficiency and adaptability. Various industry applications and use cases are explored, with practical guides and tutorials, such as training a model for diagnosing disease symptoms.
A technical deep dive examines the capabilities of SLMs, contrasting them with larger models to outline their unique advantages. Specific architectures, including the Phi-3 models, are discussed, showcasing significant capabilities and offering practical implementation guidance. This resource is essential for understanding and leveraging the potential of small language models across different domains.