Pointer generator network

Beginners
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Hi everyone, I’m working on a text summarization task. How can I fine-tune an MT5 model for pointer generation?

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MT5 doesn’t seem to be very suitable for this purpose…

If you rewrite it for each model class, it will naturally work, but wouldn’t it be better to use the model architecture that it already supports…?

To address your goal of fine-tuning an MT5 model for a pointer generator network in text summarization using the Hugging Face Trainer, here’s a structured approach:

MT5 Model and Pointer Generator Compatibility

  1. MT5 Overview: MT5 is a multi-lingual model from Google, part of the T5 family, designed for text-to-text tasks including summarization. It’s supported by Hugging Face’s Transformers library, making it accessible for fine-tuning.

  2. Pointer Generator Networks: Primarily used in models like BART and PEGASUS, these networks enhance summarization by allowing the model to copy words directly from the source text. However, MT5’s architecture doesn’t inherently include a pointer generator, as it relies on the decoder’s vocabulary for generation.

  3. Fine-Tuning MT5: While MT5 can be fine-tuned for summarization using methods described in sources like Hugging Face’s documentation, integrating a pointer generator requires custom code beyond the standard setup. This complexity makes MT5 less ideal for your specific task without significant modifications.

Alternative Models for Pointer Generator Networks

  1. BART: Developed by Facebook, BART supports pointer generators and is optimized for abstractive summarization. It’s a strong alternative due to its compatibility with pointer generator networks.

  2. PEGASUS: Google’s PEGASUS is another model that effectively uses pointer generators for summarization. It’s also a suitable alternative for your task.

Conclusion

Given the complexity of integrating a pointer generator into MT5 and the availability of more suitable models, it’s advisable to consider BART or PEGASUS. These models are better supported for pointer generator tasks and offer more straightforward integration with Hugging Face’s tools. If you wish to proceed with MT5 despite these challenges, custom modifications would be necessary.

Final Recommendation: Use BART or PEGASUS for your text summarization task with a pointer generator network, as they are more suited and supported for this purpose.