How to Access Falcon 3?

Yashashwy Alok Last Updated : 09 Jan, 2025
7 min read

Falcon 3 is the newest breakthrough in the Falcon series of large language models, celebrated for its cutting-edge design and open accessibility. Developed by the Technology Innovation Institute (TII), it’s built to meet the growing demands of AI-driven applications, whether it’s generating creative content or data analysis. What truly sets Falcon 3 apart is its commitment to being open-source, making it easily accessible on platforms like Hugging Face. This ensures researchers, developers, and businesses of all sizes can leverage its capabilities with ease.

Designed for efficiency, scalability, and adaptability, Falcon 3 excels in both training and inference, delivering speed and accuracy without compromising on performance. Its enhanced architecture and fine-tuned parameters make it a versatile powerhouse, paving the way for revolutionary advancements in AI applications.

Falcon 3: Decoder-only Architecture

Falcon 3 represents a leap forward in the AI landscape, offering cutting-edge capabilities in an open-source large language model (LLM). It excels in combining advanced performance with the ability to operate on resource-constrained infrastructures, making it accessible to a broader audience. Unlike traditional LLMs that require high-end GPUs or cloud infrastructure, Falcon 3 can run efficiently on devices as lightweight as laptops, eliminating the dependency on powerful computational resources. This breakthrough democratizes advanced AI, empowering developers, researchers, and businesses to leverage its capabilities without prohibitive costs.

At its core, Falcon 3 adopts a decoder-only architecture, a streamlined design optimized for tasks like text generation, reasoning, and comprehension. This architecture enables the models to focus on generating coherent, contextually relevant outputs, making them particularly effective for applications such as dialogue systems, creative content generation, and summarization. By eschewing the encoder-decoder complexity seen in some architectures, Falcon 3 maintains high efficiency while still achieving state-of-the-art performance in benchmarks.

The Falcon 3 lineup consists of four scalable models: 1B, 3B, 7B, and 10B, each available in both Base and Instruct versions. These models cater to a diverse range of applications:

  • Base models are ideal for general-purpose tasks, such as language understanding and text generation.
  • Instruct models are fine-tuned for instruction-following tasks, making them perfect for applications like customer service chatbots or virtual assistants.

Whether you’re developing generative AI tools, exploring complex reasoning, or implementing specialized instruction-following systems, Falcon 3 offers unparalleled flexibility and efficiency. Its scalable architecture and decoder-focused design ensure that it delivers exceptional results across a wide spectrum of use cases, all while remaining resource-friendly.

decoder-only architecture
  • Falcon 3 is built on a decoder-only architecture, optimized for speed and resource efficiency.
  • Uses Flash Attention 2 and Grouped Query Attention (GQA):
    • GQA minimizes memory usage during inference by sharing parameters, enabling faster and more efficient processing.
  • Tokenizer supports a high vocabulary of 131K tokens, double that of Falcon 2.
  • Trained with a 32K context size, enabling better handling of long-context data.
  • While this context length is substantial, some other models offer longer context capabilities.

Also read: Experience Advanced AI Anywhere with Falcon 3’s Lightweight Design

Comparison of Falcon 3 with Other Models

Here’s the comparison table:

CategoryBenchmarkLlama3.1-8BQwen2.5-7BFalcon3-7B-BaseGemma2-9bFalcon3-10B-BaseFalcon3-Mamba-7B
GeneralMMLU (5-shot)65.274.267.570.873.164.9
MMLU-PRO (5-shot)32.743.539.241.442.530.4
IFEval12.033.934.321.236.428.9
MathGSM8K (5-shot)49.482.976.269.181.465.9
MATH Lvl-5 (4-shot)4.115.518.010.522.919.3
ReasoningArc Challenge (25-shot)58.263.263.167.562.656.7
GPQA (0-shot)31.033.035.533.434.131.0
MUSR (0-shot)38.044.247.345.344.234.3
BBH (3-shot)46.554.051.054.359.746.8
CommonSense UnderstandingPIQA (0-shot)81.279.979.182.979.479.5
SciQ (0-shot)94.695.292.497.193.592.0
Winogrande (0-shot)74.072.971.074.273.671.3
OpenbookQA (0-shot)44.847.043.847.245.045.8

1. General Knowledge (MMLU, MMLU-PRO, and IFEval)

These benchmarks test how much the model knows about general topics and professional-level stuff.

  • Best performer:
    Qwen2.5-7B scores the highest for general knowledge (74.2 in MMLU). It’s like the class topper in this category.
  • Falcon Models:
    • Falcon3-7B-Base: Pretty decent at 67.5—not as great as Qwen but better than most others.
    • Falcon3-10B-Base: Does even better with 73.1, closing in on Qwen.
    • Falcon3-Mamba-7B: This one lags behind at 64.9 in MMLU and struggles with professional-level knowledge (MMLU-PRO, 30.4).
  • What it means:
    If you’re looking for a model to answer general knowledge or professional-level questions, Falcon3-10B is a great choice, but Qwen2.5-7B still edges out.

2. Math (GSM8K and MATH Level-5)

Here, the benchmarks test the ability to solve math problems, from basic to advanced levels.

  • Best performer:
    Qwen2.5-7B crushes the competition in GSM8K with 82.9. For advanced math (MATH Level-5), Falcon3-10B-Base wins with 22.9, showing it handles tougher problems better.
  • Falcon Models:
    • Falcon3-7B-Base does surprisingly well in GSM8K with 76.2, showing it’s good at basic math problems.
    • Falcon3-Mamba-7B falls behind at 65.9 in GSM8K, which is still decent but not competitive with the best.
  • What it means:
    If you need strong math capabilities, go for Falcon3-10B-Base or Qwen2.5-7B. They’re the math whizzes here.

3. Reasoning (Arc Challenge, GPQA, MUSR, and BBH)

Reasoning tasks test how well the models can think logically and connect ideas.

  • Best performer:
    • Gemma2-9b is the reasoning champ, scoring 67.5 in Arc Challenge and leading in several benchmarks.
    • Falcon3-10B-Base shines in BBH (Big Bench Hard), scoring 59.7, showing it can handle really tough reasoning tasks.
  • Falcon Models:
    • Falcon3-7B-Base is a solid performer in reasoning, especially in MUSR (47.3) and Arc Challenge (63.1). It’s not the best, but it holds its ground.
    • Falcon3-Mamba-7B struggles a bit here, with lower scores like 56.7 in Arc Challenge and 46.8 in BBH.
  • What it means:
    If your task is reasoning-heavy, Gemma2-9b and Falcon3-10B-Base are strong choices. Falcon3-7B is also a good budget option.

4. Common Sense Understanding (PIQA, SciQ, Winogrande, and OpenbookQA)

This category checks how well the models understand real-world logic and common sense.

  • Best performer:
    • Gemma2-9b leads in most tasks, like PIQA (82.9) and SciQ (97.1). It’s great at commonsense and science-based QA.
    • Falcon3-10B-Base is close behind, scoring 93.5 in SciQ and 79.4 in PIQA.
  • Falcon Models:
    • Falcon3-7B-Base does well in PIQA (79.1) and SciQ (92.4)—not the best, but very competitive.
    • Falcon3-Mamba-7B holds steady here, scoring 82.9 in PIQA, but lags behind slightly in tasks like SciQ (92.0).
  • What it means:
    For tasks that involve everyday logic or science, Gemma2-9b and Falcon3-10B-Base are the top picks. Falcon3-7B-Base is still solid if you’re looking for a balanced option.

The Falcon models strike a balance between performance and versatility. While Falcon3-10B-Base is the clear leader in raw power, Falcon3-7B-Base offers a cost-effective option for most tasks, and Falcon3-Mamba-7B caters to specialized needs.

Accessing Falcon 3-10B Through Ollama in Colab

Falcon 3-10B, a state-of-the-art language model, can be accessed programmatically using Ollama and Python libraries like LangChain. This approach enables seamless integration of the model into a Colab environment for diverse use cases such as content generation, problem-solving, and more. Below are the detailed steps to set up and interact with Falcon 3:10B:

1. Install Ollama and Dependencies

To begin, you need to install the necessary system tools and the Ollama CLI, which acts as a bridge for interacting with Falcon 3:10B. The following commands will:

Update your system’s package manager.

Install essential utilities like pciutils.

Download and install the Ollama CLI directly.

Commands:

!sudo apt update
!sudo apt install -y pciutils
!curl -fsSL https://ollama.com/install.sh | sh

This ensures your environment is ready for the Falcon 3:10B setup.

2. Install Required Python Libraries

Once the CLI is installed, you’ll need to install the Python libraries required for programmatic access. The LangChain Core library and its Ollama extension allow you to craft custom prompts and query models seamlessly.

Commands:

!pip install langchain-core
!pip install langchain-ollama
!pip install ipython

These libraries will enable you to design workflows that interact with the Falcon 3:10B model.

3. Query Falcon 3:10B

After the installation, you can interact with Falcon 3-10B using a Python script. The example below demonstrates how to:

  • Define a structured prompt template.
  • Load the model using the Ollama integration.
  • Create a query chain combining the prompt and model.
  • Retrieve and display the model’s response in Markdown format.

Python Code:

from langchain_core.prompts import ChatPromptTemplate
from langchain_ollama.llms import OllamaLLM
from IPython.display import Markdown
template = """Question: {question}
Answer: Let's think step by step."""
prompt = ChatPromptTemplate.from_template(template)
model = OllamaLLM(model="falcon3:10b")
chain = prompt | model
# Query Falcon 3:10B
display(Markdown(chain.invoke({"question": "fibonacci series code"})))

Explanation of Code:

  • ChatPromptTemplate: Structures the input query to provide step-by-step responses.
  • OllamaLLM: Loads the Falcon 3-10B model, specifying the exact model identifier.
  • Chain: Combines the prompt and model into a single pipeline for querying.
  • Markdown Display: Ensures the response is shown in a clean, readable format.

This script queries the model for Python code to generate a Fibonacci series and displays the result.

Output:

Output

4. Automate and Extend

The framework is not limited to basic queries. You can:

  • Automate repetitive tasks like generating multiple content pieces or answering FAQs.
  • Solve complex problems, such as coding tasks or mathematical computations.
  • Integrate Falcon 3:10B into larger applications, like chatbots or data analysis tools.

By modifying the prompt or model identifier, you can tailor this setup for various domains, including technical documentation, creative writing, and educational content.

Conclusion

Falcon 3-10B represents a significant leap forward in the field of open-source large language models, combining state-of-the-art capabilities with the flexibility and accessibility needed for a wide range of applications. I hope you have understood, how to access Falcon 3-10B, its integration with Ollama and Python libraries like LangChain makes it easier than ever for developers, researchers, and enterprises to harness its power in environments like Google Colab.

With straightforward installation steps, an intuitive querying process, and the ability to automate and extend its functionality, Falcon 3-10B stands out as a versatile tool for tasks such as content generation, problem-solving, and advanced data analysis. The combination of cutting-edge performance and open-source accessibility solidifies Falcon 3-10B as an invaluable asset for those seeking to push the boundaries of natural language processing in their projects.

Whether you’re a developer exploring new possibilities, a researcher diving into NLP innovations, or an enterprise looking for scalable AI solutions, Falcon 3-10B offers a robust and adaptable platform to meet your needs. Its commitment to open-source principles ensures that the latest advancements in AI remain within reach for everyone, empowering the community to innovate and excel.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. What are the system requirements to access Falcon 3-10B in Colab?

Ans. To run Falcon 3-10B in Colab, ensure the following:
Colab Environment: Use Google Colab Pro or Pro+ for better performance since Falcon 3-10B is resource-intensive.
Python Version: Python 3.8 or higher.
RAM: A minimum of 16GB is recommended to handle the model effectively.
Dependencies: Install required tools like pciutils and libraries like LangChain Core and Ollama CLI.

Q2. How do I troubleshoot installation issues with Ollama CLI?

Ans. If you encounter issues during the installation of Ollama CLI:
1. Verify your internet connection as the installer fetches files online.
2. Ensure that curl is installed on your system (sudo apt install curl).
3. Check permissions and rerun the command with sudo.
4. If the problem persists, refer to the Ollama documentation or their GitHub page for updates or alternative installation methods.

Q3. Can Falcon 3:10B be fine-tuned for specific applications?

Ans. Yes, Falcon 3-10B supports fine-tuning. While the example focuses on querying the pre-trained model, you can fine-tune Falcon 3-10B using custom datasets for domain-specific tasks. This requires additional computational resources and expertise in fine-tuning large language models.

Q4. How secure is using Falcon 3-10B in cloud-based environments like Colab?

Ans. Using Falcon 3-10B in Colab is generally secure, but follow these practices:
1. Avoid sharing sensitive data directly with the model.
2. Use encrypted connections and APIs if integrating with external systems.
3. Regularly update the libraries and dependencies to patch any security vulnerabilities.

Q5. Can Falcon 3-10B generate outputs in languages other than English?

Ans. Yes, Falcon 3-10B supports multilingual capabilities. You can query the model in various languages, provided the language is supported by its training data. For improved results, structure your prompts clearly and include examples in the desired language.

Hello, my name is Yashashwy Alok, and I am passionate about data science and analytics. I thrive on solving complex problems, uncovering meaningful insights from data, and leveraging technology to make informed decisions. Over the years, I have developed expertise in programming, statistical analysis, and machine learning, with hands-on experience in tools and techniques that help translate data into actionable outcomes.

I’m driven by a curiosity to explore innovative approaches and continuously enhance my skill set to stay ahead in the ever-evolving field of data science. Whether it’s crafting efficient data pipelines, creating insightful visualizations, or applying advanced algorithms, I am committed to delivering impactful solutions that drive success.

In my professional journey, I’ve had the opportunity to gain practical exposure through internships and collaborations, which have shaped my ability to tackle real-world challenges. I am also an enthusiastic learner, always seeking to expand my knowledge through certifications, research, and hands-on experimentation.

Beyond my technical interests, I enjoy connecting with like-minded individuals, exchanging ideas, and contributing to projects that create meaningful change. I look forward to further honing my skills, taking on challenging opportunities, and making a difference in the world of data science.

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