How Sakana AI’s new evolutionary algorithm builds powerful AI models without expensive retraining

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A new development technology from AI LAB Sakana AI allows developers to increase the capabilities of artificial intelligence models without costly training and control operations. This technique, which is called the combination of the model from the natural ports (M2N2), overcomes the restrictions of other models integrating methods and can develop completely from scratch.
M2N2 can be applied to different types of automatic learning models, including large LLMS models and text generators to the image. For institutions looking to build solutions for Amnesty International, the approach provides a strong and effective way to create specialized models by combining strengths in existing open source variables.
What is the combination of the model?
Merging the model is a technique for integrating the knowledge of multiple artificial intelligence models into one more capable model. Instead of careful control, which improves one model previously trained with new data, combines the parameters of many models simultaneously. This process can unify a wealth of knowledge in one of the assets without the need for expensive training based on gradient or access to original training data.
For institutions teams, this provides many practical advantages on traditional control. In the comments on Venturebeat, the authors of the paper said that the combination of the model is a process free of gradients that only requires passes, which makes it cheaper in terms of arithmetic than the settings, which includes costly gradient updates. The integration of carefully balanced training data also merges and reduces the risk of “catastrophic forgetfulness”, as the model loses its original abilities after learning a new task. This technology is particularly strong when training data is not available for specialized models, as it requires only the integration of the typical weights itself.
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Early methods for integrating the model require an important manual voltage, as developers have modified transactions through experience and error to find the perfect mix. Recently, evolutionary algorithms have helped to automate this process by searching for the perfect mix of parameters. However, an important manual step remains: developers must set fixed groups for applicable parameters, such as layers. This restriction limits the search space and can prevent the discovery of more powerful groups.
How M2N2 works
M2N2 treats these restrictions by inspiring evolutionary principles in nature. The algorithm contains three main features that allow it to explore a wide range of possibilities and discover more effective model groups.
First, M2N2 eliminates the fixed limits of integration, such as blocks or layers. Instead of assembling the parameters through the pre -specified layers, it uses flexible “partition points” and “mixing the shares” to divide and integrate models. This means that, for example, the algorithm may merge 30 % of parameters in one layer of form A with 70 % of parameters of the same layer in the Bord B. The process begins with an “archive” of seed models. In each step, the M2N2 chooses two models of the archive, determines the mixing rate and the division point, and combines them. If the resulting model is well, it will be added again to the archive, to replace it weaker. This allows the algorithm to explore increasingly complex groups over time. The researchers also notice, “This gradual application for complexity guarantees a wide range of possibilities while maintaining the susceptibility of arithmetic.”
Second, the M2N2 manages the diversity of its typical population through competition. To understand a decisive reason, the researchers provide a simple analogy: “Imagine the merging of two pages for the exam … If both plates have the same answers completely, the combination of them does not achieve any improvement. But if each paper has correct answers to different questions, then merging them gives a much stronger result.” The model is a merge that works in the same way. However, the challenge is to determine the type of value of value. Instead of relying on hand -made standards, M2N2 mimics competition for limited resources. This naturally inspired approach is equivalent to unique skills, as they can “take advantage of the disputed resources” and solve problems that others cannot. The authors note that these specialists are the most valuable for integration.
Third, M2N2 uses a folder called “gravity” to associate models for merge. Instead of just combining the models of higher performance as is the case in other merging algorithms, it shaves them based on supplementary strengths. “The degree of attraction” determines pairs as one model is good at the data points that the other finds a challenge. This improves research efficiency and the quality of the final compact model.
M2N2 at work
The researchers tested M2N2 across three different areas, indicating its diversity and effectiveness.
The first was a small experience that evolves on the nerve network photo works from the zero point on the MNIST data collection. M2N2 has achieved the highest test accuracy with a large margin compared to other methods. The results showed that the mechanism of preserving its diversity was essential, which allowed it to maintain an archive of models with supplementary strengths that facilitated effective integration while eliminating the weaker solutions systematically.
Next, they apply M2N2 to LLMS, combining a model of mathematics specialist (Wizardmmath-7B) with Agentevol-7B agent, both of which depend on Llama 2. The goal was to create one agent that was superior to both mathematics problems (GSM8K Data set) and web-based tasks (Webshop Data set). The resulting model has achieved strong performance on both standards, as it offered the M2N2 capacity to create strong multi -skilled models.

Finally, the team merged the spread of the spreading photo -generating photo models. They merged a trained model on Japanese claims (JSDXL) with three stable spread models mainly trained in English claims. The goal was to create a model that combines the best image generation capabilities for each seed model while maintaining the ability to understand Japanese. The integrated model did not produce more realistic images with a better semantic understanding, but also set the emerging bilateral ability. It can generate high -quality images from both English and Japanese claims, although it was improved exclusively using Japanese illustrations.
For institutions that have already developed specialized models, the business status of integration is convincing. Authors refer to new hybrid capabilities that are difficult to achieve otherwise. For example, the merger of LLM can lead to convincing sales with a vision form trained to explain customer reactions to create one agent that adapts to the actual time based on direct video notes. This opens the common intelligence of multiple models at a cost and independence of only one operation.
In the future, researchers see techniques such as M2N2 as part of a wider direction towards “melting model”. They imagine in the future as organizations retain entire environmental systems of artificial intelligence models that constantly develop and integrate them to adapt to new challenges.
“Think about it like the advanced ecosystem where the capabilities are combined as needed, instead of building a single giant compact from scratch,” the authors suggest.
The researchers released the M2N2 blog on GitHub.
Authors believe that the biggest obstacle to this dynamic ecosystem that provides itself is not technical but organizational. “In a world” large compact model “consisting of open components and a commercial and dedicated source, guaranteeing privacy, security and compliance will be a critical problem.” For companies, the challenge will be to know the models that can be absorbed safely and effectively in the developed developer.
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2025-08-30 00:14:00