HackerPapers

arXiv:2301.04589cs.CL

Memory Augmented Large Language Models are Computationally Universal

Dale Schuurmans

Abstract

We show that transformer-based large language models are computationally universal when augmented with an external memory. Any deterministic language model that conditions on strings of bounded length is equivalent to a finite automaton, hence computationally limited. However, augmenting such models with a read-write memory creates the possibility of processing arbitrarily large inputs and, potentially, simulating any algorithm. We establish that an existing large language model, Flan-U-PaLM 540B, can be combined with an associative read-write memory to exactly simulate the execution of a universal Turing machine, $U_{15,2}$. A key aspect of the finding is that it does not require any modification of the language model weights. Instead, the construction relies solely on designing a form of stored instruction computer that can subsequently be programmed with a specific set of prompts.

arXiv comments
23 pages, 0 figures
Journal reference
DOI
Subjects
cs.CLComputation and Language cs.FLFormal Languages and Automata Theory

On Hacker News

Linked by 6 identifiable commenters in 13 comments across 13 threads, from Feb 2023 to May 2026. Found in 4 HN submissions from Feb 2023 to Jul 2023. Open submission discussions.

Comments linking this paper, per year.

Discussed in comments13 threads

  1. Claude Opus 4.8 1 comment
    • I do. This is the newest thng i'm aware of: https://www.percepta.ai/blog/can-llms-be-computers But there were papers in 2023 with a different approach requiring external memory https://arxiv.org/abs/2301.04589 too

      GomotonoView on HNParent context

    • Transformers with memory can abstract recursively in theory. https://arxiv.org/abs/2301.04589. If it's just extra computation that's the kick then simply more tokens will suffice. You can even even implement a computation token if you wish. https://arxiv.org/abs/2310.02226…

      famouswafflesView on HNParent context

  2. 100K Context Windows 1 comment
    • LLMs (at least the ones with read/write memory) can exactly simulate the execution of a universal Turing machine [1]. AFAIK running such models will therefore entails the same fundamental security risks as ordinary software. [1] https://arxiv.org/pdf/2301.04589.pdf

      spacebanana7View on HNParent context

    • Not even going to bother with the weird leap of logic you've made here but Memory augmented LLMs are computationally universal - https://arxiv.org/abs/2301.04589

      famouswafflesView on HNParent context

    • The significance of the paper is moreso the implications of how far ICL can take you rather than the ease/viability of the solution proposed. Sure there are better methods for arithmetic but arithmetic is extremely quantifiable with rigid steps. What happens when you step out of…

      famouswafflesView on HNParent context

    • The idea that updating weights is particularly necessary is questionable. Memory augmented llms are computationally universal. https://arxiv.org/abs/2301.04589 and make no mistake, in context learning can be used in a meaningful way to resolve deficiencies. gpt-3 getting 98.5%…

      famouswafflesView on HNParent context

    • Well I don't understand the nitroglycerin reference and of course "computationally universal" doesn't mean "sentient" but the point is when you add the external memory they (Flan-U-PaLM 540B to be specific) have been demonstrated to be capable of simulating a specific, well…

      blurbleblurbleView on HNParent context

    • In context learning is already implicit finetuning. https://arxiv.org/abs/2212.10559. It's very questionable to what extent continuous training is necessary past a threshold of intelligence. Memory Augmented Large Language Models are Computationally Universal…

      famouswafflesView on HNParent context

    • It does to some degree. Some people have shown that you can prompt GPT to behave like shell or python interpreter. Then you can "execute" some statements, of course to some degree of saneness. However I'm not sure if it does in this particular case where we ask it for…

      mad0View on HNParent context

    • The "predicting words" part of the language models is a building block, but the actual applications being built around the LLMs are using that predictive ability in very dynamic ways along with external memory, feedback and sophisticated control methods to attenuate and channel…

      blurbleblurbleView on HNParent context

Submitted to Hacker News

Connected through shared HN threads, not inferred similarity or a recommendation.