A comparative study of in-context learning ability: Exploring the versatility of large-scale language models in regression tasks

Machine Learning


https://arxiv.org/abs/2404.07544

In AI, there is particular interest in the capabilities of large-scale language models (LLMs). These models have traditionally been used for tasks involving natural language processing, but are now being explored for their potential in computational tasks such as regression analysis. This change reflects a broader trend toward versatile, multifunctional AI systems that handle a variety of complex tasks.

A key challenge in AI research is to develop models that adapt to new tasks with minimal additional input. The focus is on allowing these systems to apply extensive prior training to new challenges without the need for task-specific training. This problem is particularly relevant for regression tasks, where models typically require significant retraining with new datasets to run effectively.

In traditional settings, regression analysis is primarily managed by supervised learning techniques. Techniques such as random forests, support vector machines, and gradient boosting are standard, but they often require large training data and complex tuning of parameters to achieve high accuracy. Although these methods are robust, they lack the flexibility to quickly adapt to new or evolving data scenarios without comprehensive retraining.

Using pre-trained LLMs such as GPT-4 and Claude 3, researchers at the University of Arizona and the Technical University of Cluj-Napoca have introduced an innovative approach that leverages learning in context. This technique leverages the model's ability to generate predictions based on examples provided directly in the operational context, avoiding the need for explicit retraining. Research has demonstrated that these models can tackle both linear and nonlinear regression tasks by simply processing input-output pairs presented as part of the input stream.

The methodology employs in-context learning, where the LLM is presented with concrete examples of regression tasks and extrapolates from them to solve new problems. For example, Claude 3 was tested against traditional methods on a synthetic dataset designed to simulate complex regression scenarios. Claude 3 performed as well as or better than established regression methods without any parameter updates or additional training. Claude 3 showed lower mean absolute error (MAE) than gradient boosting for tasks such as predicting results from the Friedman #2 dataset, a highly nonlinear benchmark.

Results for different models and datasets in scenarios where only one of multiple variables is informative show superior accuracy for other LLMs such as Claude 3 and GPT-4, compared to supervised models and heuristic-based supervision. Achieved a lower error rate than the none model. For example, in sparse linear regression tasks where data sparsity poses great challenges to traditional models, LLM demonstrates exceptional adaptability and accuracy, with an MAE of only 0.14 compared to 0.12 for the closest traditional method. I showed that.

Research snapshot

In conclusion, this study highlights the adaptability and efficiency of LLMs such as GPT-4 and Claude 3 in performing regression tasks through in-context learning without additional training. These models successfully applied the learned patterns to new problems and demonstrated their ability to handle complex regression scenarios with accuracy comparable to or better than traditional supervised methods. This breakthrough suggests that LLM accommodates a broader range of applications and provides a flexible and efficient alternative to models that require extensive retraining. The findings demonstrate the shift in leveraging AI for data-driven tasks and strengthen the practicality and scalability of his LLM across different domains.


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Hello, my name is Adnan Hassan. I'm a consulting intern at Marktechpost and soon to be a management trainee at American Express. I am currently pursuing a dual degree at Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur. I'm passionate about technology and want to create new products that make a difference.

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