Microsoft Releases VisualGPT: Combines Language and Visuals

As artificial intelligence (AI) continues to evolve, so do the capabilities of Large Language Models (LLMs). These models use machine learning algorithms to understand and generate human language, making it easier for humans to interact with machines. Microsoft Research Asia has taken this technology a step further by introducing VisualGPT. This AI model incorporates Visual Foundation Models (VFM) to enhance the understanding, generation, and editing of visual information.

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What Is VisualGPT?

VisualGPT is an extension of ChatGPT. ChatGPT uses natural language processing (NLP) techniques to generate responses to user input. VisualGPT takes this technology to the next level by incorporating visual information, allowing users to communicate via chat while simultaneously generating images.

The Power of Visual Foundation Models

At the heart of VisualGPT are VFMs, fundamental algorithms used in computer vision that transfer standard computer vision skills onto AI applications for handling more complex tasks. The Prompt Manager in VisualGPT consists of 22 VFMs, including Text-to-Image, ControlNet, and Edge-To-Image, among others. This enables VisualGPT to convert visual signals from an image into a language format for better comprehension.

VFMs are essential because they provide the foundation for VisualGPT’s ability to synthesize an internal chat history that includes information such as the image file name for better understanding. For instance, the user-input image name serves as operation history, and the Prompt Manager guides the model through a ‘Reasoning Format’ to determine the appropriate VFM operation. In essence, this can be considered the model’s inner thoughts before selecting the correct VFM operation.

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The Architecture of VisualGPT

The architectural components of VisualGPT include the User Query, Prompt Manager, Visual Foundation Models, System Principle, History of Dialogue, History of Reasoning, and Intermediate Answer. Each of these components works together seamlessly to provide a smooth user experience.

The User Query is where the user submits their query. The Prompt Manager then converts the user’s visual queries into a language format understood by VisualGPT. The Visual Foundation Models are a combination of various VFMs, such as BLIP (Bootstrapping Language-Image Pre-training), Stable Diffusion, ControlNet, Pix2Pix, and more. The System Principle provides the basic rules and requirements for VisualGPT. The History of Dialogue serves as the initial point of interaction and conversation between the system and the user. Whereas the History of Reasoning uses the previous reasoning from different VFMs to solve complex queries. Meanwhile, the Intermediate Answer outputs several intermediate answers with logical understanding using VFMs.

A Revolutionary Technology

Microsoft’s VisualGPT is an extraordinary innovation that pushes the boundaries of AI-powered communication. This new technology promises to unlock a world of possibilities for more engaging, dynamic, and interactive AI experiences by bridging the gap between language and visuals.

One potential use case for VisualGPT is in e-commerce. Users can upload an image of a product they want to purchase, and VisualGPT can generate a list of similar products or suggest complementary items. Another potential use case is in the field of art, where users can input a description of an artwork they want to create, and VisualGPT can generate an image based on their description.

Our Say

VisualGPT is Microsoft’s latest and most innovative step in AI development. While it is still in its early stages of development, VisualGPT has the potential to revolutionize how we interact with machines. As AI continues to evolve, we can expect to see more innovations like VisualGPT that combine different types of data to create more intuitive and engaging user experiences.

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K.C. Sabreena Basheer

Sabreena Basheer is an architect-turned-writer who's passionate about documenting anything that interests her. She's currently exploring the world of AI and Data Science as a Content Manager at Analytics Vidhya.