Interpreting Embedding Spaces by Conceptualization
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One of the main methods for semantic interpretation of text is mapping it into a vector in some embedding space. Such vectors can then be used for a variety of text processing tasks. Recently, most embedding spaces are a product of training large language models. One major drawback of this type of representation is its incomprehensibility to humans. Understanding the embedding space is crucial for several important needs, including the need to explain the decision of a system that uses the embedding, the need to debug the embedding method and compare it to alternatives, and the need to detect biases hidden in the model. In this paper, we present a novel method of transforming any embedding space into a comprehensible conceptual space. We first present an algorithm for deriving a conceptual space with dynamic on-demand granularity. We then show a method for transferring any vector in the original incomprehensible space to an understandable vector in the conceptual space. We combine human tests with cross-model tests to show that the conceptualized vectors indeed represent the semantics of the original vectors. We also show how the conceptualized vectors can be used for various tasks including identifying weaknesses in the semantics underlying the original spaces and differences in the semantics of alternative models.
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