# Ferret

> large language model developed by Apple

**Wikidata**: [Q123989328](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q123989328)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/ferret

## Summary
Ferret is a large language model developed by Apple Inc. and Columbia University, released in October 2023 as an open-source multimodal AI system. It represents Apple's entry into the competitive field of advanced artificial intelligence models.

## Key Facts
- Ferret is a large language model developed by Apple Inc. and Columbia University
- The model was released on October 6, 2023
- Ferret is an open-source multimodal language model
- The stylized name of the model is FERRET
- Source code is available at https://github.com/apple/ml-ferret
- Ferret is classified as both a large language model and an artificial intelligence model
- The project was published on GitHub with Apple as the publisher

## FAQs
### Q: What is Ferret?
A: Ferret is a large language model developed by Apple and Columbia University, released in October 2023 as an open-source multimodal AI system designed to process and generate content across different data types.

### Q: Who developed Ferret?
A: Ferret was developed collaboratively by Apple Inc. and Columbia University, with Apple serving as the publisher of the open-source project.

### Q: When was Ferret released?
A: Ferret was released on October 6, 2023, as announced in Apple's GitHub repository.

### Q: Is Ferret open source?
A: Yes, Ferret is an open-source project with its source code available on GitHub at https://github.com/apple/ml-ferret.

### Q: What makes Ferret different from other language models?
A: Ferret is specifically designed as a multimodal language model, meaning it can process and generate content across different types of data, though specific technical distinctions aren't detailed in the provided information.

## Why It Matters
Ferret marks Apple's significant entry into the competitive field of large language models, demonstrating the company's commitment to advancing artificial intelligence technologies. As an open-source multimodal model, Ferret contributes to the growing ecosystem of accessible AI tools that researchers and developers can build upon. The collaboration between Apple, a major technology company, and Columbia University, a leading academic institution, represents a promising partnership between industry and academia in AI development. By releasing Ferret as open source, Apple is participating in the broader trend of transparency and collaboration in AI research, potentially accelerating innovation in the field.

## Notable For
- Being Apple's first publicly acknowledged large language model release
- Developed through a collaboration between Apple Inc. and Columbia University
- Released as an open-source multimodal language model in October 2023
- Available on GitHub with Apple as the publisher, indicating a commitment to transparency

## Body
### Development and Release
Ferret is a large language model developed collaboratively by Apple Inc. and Columbia University. The model was officially released on October 6, 2023, as announced in Apple's GitHub repository. Apple serves as the publisher of this open-source project, marking the company's entry into the competitive field of advanced AI models.

### Technical Classification
Ferret is classified as both a large language model and an artificial intelligence model. It is specifically designed as a multimodal language model, meaning it can process and generate content across different types of data. The stylized name of the model is FERRET, which appears to be an acronym or branding choice by the development team.

### Availability and Access
The source code for Ferret is publicly available on GitHub at https://github.com/apple/ml-ferret. This open-source approach allows researchers and developers to access, study, and potentially build upon the model. The project is hosted under Apple's organization on GitHub, with Apple identified as the publisher according to the structured properties.

### Collaborative Development
The development of Ferret represents a collaboration between Apple Inc., a major American multinational technology company based in Cupertino, California, and Columbia University, a leading academic institution. This partnership combines industry expertise with academic research, potentially contributing to more robust and innovative AI development approaches.

## References

1. [Apple quietly released an open source multimodal LLM in October. VentureBeat. 2023](https://venturebeat.com/ai/apple-quietly-released-an-open-source-multimodal-llm-in-october/)
2. [Commits · apple/ml-ferret. GitHub](https://github.com/apple/ml-ferret/commits/main/)