next token prediction

Next token prediction is a fundamental concept in natural language processing (NLP) and machine learning, particularly within the realm of large language models (LLMs). It involves training models to predict the next word or token in a sequence based on the preceding context. This technique enables models to generate coherent and contextually relevant text, making it essential for applications like chatbots, text completion, and language translation. However, while effective, next token prediction has limitations, such as computational inefficiency and a tendency to focus on local patterns, which can hinder the model’s ability to understand complex language structures and relationships.