Chat Template Structures

A "chat template structure" refers to a pre-defined format used to frame a conversation within a chat system, typically including specific markers or tags to indicate the roles of different speakers (like "user" and "system") and how the conversation should be structured, ensuring consistent input for a language model to generate responses effectively; essentially, it's a blueprint for how a chat interaction should be presented to the AI system. 

Key points about chat template structures:

• Consistency:

  The structure helps ensure the model receives information in a predictable format, leading to more accurate and relevant responses.

• Special tokens:

  Many chat templates utilize unique tokens (like "START", "USER", "ASSISTANT") to differentiate different parts of the conversation within the input string.

• Fine-tuning specific to models:

  Different language models may require different chat template structures depending on how they were trained and what format they expect for input.

• Example structure:

  • " [START] User: {User message} Assistant: {Model response} [END]" - This shows a simple template where the user's message is clearly separated from the model's expected response. 

Why are chat template structures important?

• Improved performance:

  By adhering to a specific format, the model can more accurately interpret the conversation context and generate better responses. 

• Reduced errors:

  Using a structured template helps avoid potential misinterpretations that might arise from ambiguous input. 

• Customization:

  Depending on the application, chat templates can be adapted to fit specific conversational needs.