Falcon 180B vs. Llama 2: Who Wins the AI Battle?
Tags: ai, llm, javascript, python
Published: 2023-09-20 18:36:47

Hellow, Nomadev here! Hope you're having a fantastic day. If you've landed on this article, I bet you're as thrilled about the world of AI and the magic of open source as I am. You know, there's something truly special about the open-source community – it's all about sharing, learning, and growing together. And today, I've got some juicy news for you!

You see, in the vast universe of AI, two stars have been shining particularly bright lately: **Falcon 180B** and **Llama 2** by Meta. And the best part? They're both waving the open-source flag high and proud! 

So, whether you're a seasoned AI explorer or just starting your tech adventure, this is the place to be. Get comfy, maybe brew a cup of your favorite drink, and let's dive deep into the world of these AI giants. Onwards and upwards!

![Image description](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/2w44q3pag6fk7bsdyh25.gif)

### **Llama 2 by Meta**


![Image description](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/bt5lba0zs5k0239nidir.jpg)

First up, we have **Llama 2** by Meta. It's the next-gen superstar in Meta's lineup of large language models. What's super cool about Llama 2 is that it's not just one model – it ranges from 7B to a whopping 70B parameters! Whether you're into general chatbots or code generation, Llama 2 has got something special for you. Dive deeper and explore more about Llama 2 from its official pages:
- [HuggingFace Documentation on Llama 2](https://huggingface.co/docs/transformers/main/model_doc/llama2)
- [Meta's Official Llama 2 Page](https://ai.meta.com/llama/)

### **Falcon 180B**


![Image description](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/tudiinpda6irr3mt2fz6.jpg)

Next, let's talk about the behemoth, **Falcon 180B**. This model is not just big; it's gigantic with 180 billion parameters! Trained on a mind-boggling 3.5 trillion tokens, Falcon 180B is making waves in the AI community. If you're as curious as I am, you'll definitely want to check out more about this model. Here are the official pages to quench your thirst for knowledge:
- [Falcon's Official Site](https://falconllm.tii.ae/)
- [HuggingFace Demo of Falcon 180B](https://huggingface.co/spaces/tiiuae/falcon-180b-demo)

## **Falcon 180B vs Llama 2: A Comparative Overview**


![Image description](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/6lsd0gu4ny7l37fu13b7.png)


**Model Size and Parameters**

Falcon 180B: This model is built with a staggering 180 billion parameters, making it one of the largest models in its category.

Llama 2 by Meta: Designed with versatility in mind, Llama 2 offers configurations ranging from 7B to 70B parameters.

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**Training Data Sources**

Falcon 180B: It's been trained on an extensive dataset comprising 3.5 trillion tokens. The primary source is RefinedWeb, which is further supplemented with curated corpora to enhance its capabilities.

Llama 2: With a foundation built on 2 trillion tokens, Llama 2 has a robust training background.

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**Availability and Licensing Terms**

Falcon 180B: It's accessible for both research purposes and commercial applications. However, users should adhere to the [Falcon-180B TII License and Acceptable Use Policy](https://falconllm.tii.ae/).

Llama 2: Meta offers Llama 2 for both research and commercial ventures, but there are specific guidelines, especially for larger enterprises.

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**Model Variants and Fine-tuning**

Falcon 180B: While it starts as a raw, pretrained model, it's designed for adaptability. Notable variants include Falcon-180B-Chat and Falcon-7B.

Llama 2: Meta has fine-tuned versions of Llama 2 based on feedback from over a million human annotations. Some standout models are Llama Chat and Code Llama.

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**Training Infrastructure and Techniques**

Falcon 180B: The model was trained using a fleet of 4,096 A100 40GB GPUs, leveraging a 3D parallelism strategy to optimize the process.

Llama 2: One of its distinguishing features is its ability to process double the context length compared to its predecessor, Llama 1.

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**Supported Languages**

Falcon 180B: Primarily supports major languages like English, German, Spanish, and French, with partial capabilities in other European languages.

Llama 2: While Meta hasn't provided an exhaustive list, given their global operations, we can anticipate a broad language support.

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**Safety Protocols and Community Engagement**

Falcon 180B: Emphasis has been placed on ensuring compliance, data safety, and responsible usage.

Llama 2: Meta has provided a Responsible Use Guide and has actively engaged in safety evaluations for Llama Chat. They also foster community interaction through initiatives like the Llama Impact Challenge and the Generative AI Community Forum.

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**Comparison Table: Falcon 180B vs Llama 2**


![Image description](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/6r0z8qd8vld2nfb4ky8z.png)


| Feature/Aspect            | Llama 2                                                                 | Falcon 180B                                                                                     |
|---------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Model Parameters          | Ranges from 7B to 70B parameters                                         | 180 billion parameters                                                                          |
| Training Data             | Trained on 2 trillion tokens                                             | Trained on 3.5 trillion tokens from RefinedWeb enhanced with curated corpora                    |
| Availability & Licensing  | Available for research and commercial use with restrictions for large enterprises | Available for research and commercial use under the Falcon-180B TII License and Acceptable Use Policy |
| Fine-tuning & Special Models | Fine-tuned models trained on over 1 million human annotations. Special models: Llama Chat and Code Llama | Raw, pretrained model. Special models: Falcon-180B-Chat, Falcon-7B, and Falcon-40B            |
| Training Details          | Double the context length than Llama 1                                   | Trained on up to 4,096 A100 40GB GPUs using a 3D parallelism strategy                           |

**The Future of Generative AI with Open Source LLMs**


![Image description](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/7mh4ydj5c8l8vs1stmqn.png)

Open source has always been a beacon of collaboration and innovation. When it comes to Large Language Models (LLMs) like Falcon 180B and Llama 2, the open-source ethos promises a future where generative AI is not just advanced but also accessible to all. These models, with their vast capabilities, are shaping the next frontier of AI, making it more interactive, intuitive, and integrated into our daily lives.

It's an exciting time to be in the tech world, especially with the rapid advancements in AI. Keeping an eye on these developments is not just about staying updated; it's about being part of a community that's building the future. And trust me, you don't want to miss out on this journey!

If you're as passionate about tech and AI as I am and want to stay in the loop with all the latest updates, make sure to drop a 'Hi' to me, Nomadev, over on Twitter. Let's keep the conversation going and explore the wonders of AI together! 🚀

[**Say Hi to Nomadev on Twitter!**](https://twitter.com/thenomadevel)

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Thank you for joining me in this exploration. Until next time, stay curious and keep innovating!

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![Image description](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/skod065c7hqphke7uj47.PNG)

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