Simplifying AI Model Names
We’ve all been therestaring at an impossibly cryptic model name, wondering if tech companies are just randomly punching their keyboards. The world of artificial intelligence is evolving at breakneck speed, but its naming conventions? A total mess. If you’ve ever struggled to remember whether you’re using a GPT-4, Claude 3, or something with way too many decimals and acronyms, you’re not alone. Let’s break down why these names are so unnecessarily complex and how they could be way easier.
Why Are Model Names So Confusing?
There was a time when names for technological advancements made sense. Remember the good old days of the iPhone 4, 5, 6? Simple, logical, and predictable. Now, we have chat models and neural networks bearing names that sound like Wi-Fi passwords.
The Version Number Overload
One major issue is the obsession with version numbers. Companies are constantly rolling out new iterationsGPT-3, GPT-3.5, GPT-4but the decimal points and incremental updates start to blur together. Should we expect a GPT-4.1, or maybe a random jump to GPT-5.7.2?
Randomized Corporate Branding
Then, we have the bizarre branding mashups. Some companies prioritize sleek, futuristic-sounding names like “Midjourney” or “Claude,” while others pick acronyms that require a PhD to decode. Are we supposed to instinctively know that LLaMA stands for “Large Language Model Meta AI”?
Open-Source Models Take Things Further
If you thought corporate model names were confusing, open-source projects take it to another level. Open-weight models tend to have names that sound like an alien wrote them. Can you confidently explain the difference between Falcon, Mistral, and Orca without Googling?
Why Simpler Names Matter
Accessibility for Non-Tech Users
Let’s be honestnot everyone is a hardcore developer or research scientist. More intuitive names would help average users understand what they’re working with.
Better Branding and Recognition
Cleaner, more accessible names would make it easier for products to stand out. Right now, many names blend together. If a company wants its tool to be memorable, a unique but recognizable name would go a long way.
Reducing Confusion in Conversations
Ever tried explaining a model’s capabilities to a friend who isn’t deep in the tech industry? Good luck. Simpler names would make it easier for people to discuss their experiences and compare options without needing a reference sheet.
How Companies Can Do Better
Adopt Intention-Based Naming
Instead of relying on jargon, why not create names that describe what the tool actually does? Imagine if language models had names like “ChatMaster” or “StoryCraft” rather than obscure abbreviations.
Follow Human-Friendly Patterns
Successful tech products often have human-centric names. Siri, Alexa, and Gemini are easier to remember and talk about. There’s no reason why future models can’t follow suit.
Limit Versioning Complexity
Instead of rigid version numbers with decimals, why not use simple, sequential naming? If users didn’t have to remember model numbers jumping in unpredictable ways, adoption would be so much easier.
The Bottom Line
The world of advanced tech is already complex enoughthe names we use to describe it don’t have to be. By simplifying terminology, companies can make it easier for more people to understand, embrace, and trust these innovations. Let’s ditch the alphabet soup and move toward something that actually makes sense.
