Apple launches MLX, a tool for creating machine learning models

Without prior notice, Apple launched MLX, a framework that can be used to develop machine learning models. However, they can only run on Apple Silicon chips. Thus, the company guarantees that any application arising from the said offer will be exclusive to its platform.

MLX is available completely free on GitHub. An interesting point is that, despite the relevance of the launch, the framework is not in the official company repository, but in the repository of Auni Hannoun, an engineer on Apple’s machine learning research team.

Of course, MLX is intended for developers with deep domain knowledge. artificial intelligence. On the other hand, it offers integration with other popular tools in the sector. For example, NumPy, a Python library for creating multidimensional arrays that plays a key role in organizing large amounts of data. Plus, it’s compatible with C++, so you don’t have to use an Apple-imposed programming language.

So, What can you create with this structure? Well, MLX could be the basis for development generative application based on artificial intelligence. Something similar to ChatGPT, for example. What’s interesting here is that MLX takes advantage of Apple’s own hardware, so it doesn’t rely – at least entirely – on external processing.

Apple MLX could be the basis for creating a ChatGPT-style application

From Computer World They claim that MLX is inspired by other popular machine learning frameworks. This is the case with PyTorch, Jax and ArrayFire. The big advantage of the MLX, as already mentioned, is its ability to run on Apple Silicon chips. A model created with MLX can access unified memory these processors are very fast.

“The environment is easy to use, but also effective for training and deploying models. We’re committed to making it easier for researchers to extend and improve MLX to quickly explore new ideas,” says Apple.

So there’s no doubt that Apple is already using MLX to build its own machine learning models. Last July we learned that they were creating their own ChatGPT. Now its intention is for developers to use it and come up with suggestions that could be used by Apple device owners at some point.

The surprise public launch of MLX is part of Apple’s Recent Artificial Intelligence Efforts. While it is true that the company is aware of this technology as it has been applying it in other areas for years, it cannot be denied that they have been stragglers compared to its competitors.

Google, Microsoft and Meta are betting on artificial intelligence. Generative AI tools made possible by machine learning models have grown exponentially in popularity over the past two years. Apple, however, is not present at all. Thus, MLX could be the first step towards a future in which Cupertino residents become important players.

Of course, the way Apple released MLX is still strange. Without an official statement to attract attention and contact the employee’s personal GitHub repository…