Why Are There So Many Foundation Models? Unlocking the Power of Transfer Learning

✨Foundation models are large scale neural networks trained on vast amounts of data that serve as a 'foundation' for a multitude of applications.

🌍NASA has collaborated with IBM to create an AI foundation model for Earth observations, using the extensive data captured from satellite images.

🔥Fine-tuning foundation models allows for specific applications, such as flood and wildfire prediction, tracking deforestation, predicting crop yields, and monitoring greenhouse gases.

💡Foundation models can be adapted and customized to perform different tasks entirely, multiplying the usefulness of the available data.

🔗The availability of thousands of open source foundation models enables their widespread use and customization to meet specific industry or use case needs.

What are foundation models?

—Foundation models are large scale neural networks trained on vast amounts of data that serve as a base or 'foundation' for a multitude of applications.

What is the collaboration between NASA and IBM?

—NASA and IBM have collaborated to create an AI foundation model for Earth observations, utilizing the extensive data captured from satellite images.

What tasks can be performed by fine-tuning foundation models?

—By fine-tuning foundation models, specific tasks such as flood and wildfire prediction, tracking deforestation, predicting crop yields, and monitoring greenhouse gases can be performed.

Can foundation models be customized for different applications?

—Yes, foundation models can be adapted and customized to perform different tasks entirely, multiplying the usefulness of the available data.

What is the advantage of open source foundation models?

—The availability of thousands of open source foundation models allows for their widespread use and customization to meet specific industry or use case needs.

00:00Introduction to the abundance of foundation models available for download on platforms like Huggingface.

00:30Definition and explanation of foundation models as neural networks trained on large amounts of data, serving as a base for various applications.

02:05Overview of the collaboration between NASA and IBM in creating an AI foundation model for Earth observations.

02:25Highlighting the potential of foundation models in analyzing NASA's vast earth science data for climate-related discoveries.

03:57Explanation of how foundation models can be fine-tuned for specific tasks, such as flood and wildfire prediction.

04:10Demonstration of the versatility of foundation models by adapting them for different applications, such as tracking deforestation or analyzing greenhouse gases.

04:16Example of how Clark University is adapting a foundation model for time series segmentation and similarity search.

05:09Explanation of why there are so many foundation models available and why there will be more in the future.