Physics Meets AI: Unveiling the Hidden Symmetries in Language Models

Javier Marin
6 min readSep 23, 2024
Image by gerald (pixabay.com)

In the world of science, physics has long been our guide to understanding the universe’s fundamental laws. But what if these same principles could help us unlock the mysteries of artificial intelligence, specifically in Large Language Models (LLMs)? This article explores how concepts from physics, particularly symmetries and transformations, can provide new insights into AI alignment — ensuring AI systems behave in ways that align with human values and intentions.

“It is only slightly overstating the case to say that physics is the study of symmetry.”

Philip Anderson, Nobel Prize winner

Understanding Symmetries

Let’s begin with a basic but deep concept: symmetry. Imagine rotating a perfect circle; it appears the same thereafter, right? That’s symmetry in action, and it’s much more than just a nice visual function. Symmetries in physics are transformations that preserve certain attributes of a system. These symmetries are more than just mathematical curiosities; they are the foundation of our understanding of the universe. Here’s why they are so important:

  • Fundamental Laws

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Javier Marin

Experienced technology leader with proven track record of using cutting-edge AI technologies to drive business success and innovation.