Definition
Model merging combines the weights of multiple models to create a new model that inherits capabilities from all sources.
- **Key Methods:**
- Linear Interpolation: Weighted average of weights
- SLERP: Spherical interpolation
- TIES: Task arithmetic with interference elimination
- DARE: Drop and rescale approach
Why It Works: - Fine-tuned models occupy similar regions in weight space - Averaging can preserve capabilities - Works best for related tasks
Advantages: - No training compute required - Combine specialized capabilities - Experiment quickly - Community collaboration
Popular Tools: - mergekit - LazyMergeKit
Community Impact: - Leaderboard models often merged - Democratizes model creation
Examples
Merging a code-specialized model with a creative writing model to get both capabilities.
Related Terms
Adapting a pre-trained model to perform better on specific tasks using additional training.
AI models where the trained parameters are publicly released, enabling local deployment and modification.
Efficient fine-tuning technique that trains small adapter modules instead of full models.
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