In an industry as dynamic and innovative as the adult entertainment sector, staying ahead of technological trends is not just an option—it’s a necessity. Today, we embarked on an exciting journey by starting the development of our own Not Safe For Work (NSFW) Large Language Model (LLM). The experience was enlightening, and it reinforced a vital lesson: diving into the world of artificial intelligence (AI) doesn’t have to be an insurmountable challenge.
Here’s a detailed walk-through of our process, which we hope will illuminate the path for fellow executives looking to leverage AI in the adult industry.
Step 1: Choosing the Right LLM Model
Our first task was to select an LLM that aligns with our specific needs. The landscape of available models is vast, including options like Llama, BERT, GPT-4, and Mistral. Each model has its strengths and is uniquely suited to different tasks. For instance, LLMs can excel in a variety of applications such as:
- Text Generation: Creating compelling narratives or descriptions.
- Code Generation: Automating software development tasks.
- Code Debugging: Identifying and fixing errors in code.
- Text to Image/Video: Generating visual content from textual descriptions.
- Image/Audio/Text Classification: Sorting content into predefined categories.
- Summarization: Condensing long texts into concise summaries.
- Sentence Ranking: Ordering sentences by relevance or quality.
- Chat: Facilitating natural language conversations.
- Translation: Converting content between languages.
For our venture, we sought to develop an LLM that could automate the generation of captions for social media posts and videos—a tool that would not only enhance our marketing efforts but also ensure consistency and creativity in our content.
Step 2: Pre-trained Model vs. Starting From Scratch
Next, we had to decide whether to use a pre-trained model or develop one from scratch. Both approaches have their merits and drawbacks.
Pros of Using a Pre-trained Model:
- Speed: You can get started immediately, as the foundational model is already developed.
- Cost Efficiency: It saves on the significant resources required to train a model from the ground up.
- Accessibility: Pre-trained models are widely available and often come with supportive communities and documentation.
Cons of Starting From Scratch:
- Resource Intensive: Requires substantial computational power and data for training.
- Time-Consuming: Building and training a model from zero can take a considerable amount of time.
- Expertise Required: A deep understanding of machine learning and AI is necessary to develop a model from scratch.
Given our constraints, especially the lack of physical tech resources needed for a ground-up approach, we opted to begin with a pre-trained model. This decision allowed us to focus on customizing and fine-tuning the model to fit our unique requirements, rather than getting bogged down in the initial stages of model development.
Step 3: Deciding on Size and Tech Stack
The size of the LLM and the choice of tech stack are crucial considerations that impact the model’s capabilities and performance. A powerful GPU is essential for running an LLM, with the required GPU RAM escalating in tandem with the model’s size.
For our initial foray into AI, we selected a 7B parameter LLM. This model size struck a balance between computational demands and the sophistication needed for our tasks. To support this, we ensured access to 24GB of VRAM, a specification that meets the model’s requirements while providing some room for scaling up in the future.
Our Journey Forward
Embarking on this project has been a revelation. It underscored the accessibility of AI technology and its potential to revolutionize even niche sectors like the adult industry. By automating captions for our social media posts and videos, we anticipate not only a boost in engagement and audience growth but also a significant reduction in the manual effort required for content creation.
For fellow executives in the adult industry considering AI, our journey illustrates that with the right strategy and tools, integrating AI into your operations can be a straightforward and highly rewarding endeavor. The future of the adult entertainment industry is undeniably intertwined with technological innovation, and AI is poised to be at the forefront of this evolution. Embracing AI now could well be the decision that propels your business to new heights.