AI Startup Shakes Up Industry with New Open-Source Model

Written By Michael Gary Scott

Revolutionary LLM Unveiled by Databricks

In a move that sent shockwaves through the tech world, the secretive AI startup Databricks has introduced a groundbreaking large language model (LLM) known as “DBRX.” This cutting-edge model is purported to outshine industry giants like Meta Platforms Inc.’s Llama 2 and Elon Musk’s Grok.

Notably, DBRX is the first general-purpose LLM from Databricks. The company asserts that its unique structure sets it apart by ensuring both speed and customizability.

Superiority Over Industry Competitors

Databricks boldly claims that its DBRX model surpasses other open-source models, trumping Meta’s Llama 2, xAI’s Grok-1, and Mistral’s Mixtral. This achievement marks a significant milestone in the evolution of open-source AI models, showcasing a continuous rise in quality, in which Databricks proudly participates.

Furthermore, Databricks asserts dominance over OpenAI’s GPT 3.5 on “most” benchmarks, reinforcing its position as a formidable player in the AI field.

Engineering Feats of DBRX

The awe-inspiring DBRX model boasts an impressive 136 billion parameters, nearly double the parameters of Meta’s Llama 2 and falling short of Grok, which flaunts a staggering 314 billion parameters.

What sets DBRX apart is its ability to activate around 36 billion parameters per typical query, a strategy aimed at optimizing hardware usage, enhancing speed, and improving overall performance.

For those unfamiliar, a parameter in an LLM denotes a variable crucial to the model’s training process.

Implications of Pelosi’s Investment

The recent revelation of Rep. Nancy Pelosi’s $5 million investment in Databricks places her in esteemed company alongside renowned investors like Ark Invest’s Cathie Wood, Andreessen Horowitz, and the Ontario Teacher’s Pension Plan. This significant move underscores the growing allure of Databricks within the investment community.

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Founded in 2013, Databricks has amassed over $4 billion in funding to date, attaining a staggering $43 billion valuation. In contrast, OpenAI stands at an impressive valuation of $80 billion, reflecting the intense competition and potential in the AI sector.

Targeting enterprise users, Databricks aims to provide a platform for custom model development on top of DBRX. Notable clients such as NASDAQ, JetBlue, Block, and Accenture already benefit from Databricks’ innovative solutions.

Industry Endorsement and Investor Support

The stamp of approval from Nvidia Corp. CEO Jensen Huang, an investor in Databricks, underscores the company’s vast potential in leveraging enterprise data for generative AI applications. Huang’s endorsement reinforces Databricks’ position as a goldmine for AI acceleration.

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