Attention is all you need, but the span is limited.
FlashAttention Part Two: An intuitive introduction to the attention mechanism, with real-world analogies, simple visuals, and plain narrative. Part I of this story is now live.
In the previous chapter, I introduced the FlashAttention mechanism from a high-level perspective, following an “Explain Like I’m 5” (ELI5) approach. This method resonates with me the most; I always strive to connect challenging concepts to real-life analogies, which I find aids in retention over time.
Next up on our educational menu is the vanilla attention algorithm — a dish we can’t skip if we’re aiming to spice it up later. Understand it first, improve it next. There’s no way around it.
By now, you’ve likely skimmed through a plethora of articles about the attention mechanism and watched countless YouTube videos. Indeed, attention is a superstar in the world of AI, with everyone eager to collaborate on a feature with it.
So, I’m also jumping into the spotlight to share my take on this celebrated concept, followed by a shoutout to some resources that have inspired me. I’ll stick to our tried-and-tested formula of employing analogies, but I’ll also incorporate a more visual approach. Echoing my earlier sentiment (at the risk of sounding like a broken…