A Watermark for Large Language Models

doi:10.48550/arXiv.2301.10226

Paper

A Watermark for Large Language Models

Published Jan 24, 2023 · John Kirchenbauer, Jonas Geiping, Yuxin Wen

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335

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77

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Abstract

Potential harms of large language models can be mitigated by watermarking model output, i.e., embedding signals into generated text that are invisible to humans but algorithmically detectable from a short span of tokens. We propose a watermarking framework for proprietary language models. The watermark can be embedded with negligible impact on text quality, and can be detected using an efficient open-source algorithm without access to the language model API or parameters. The watermark works by selecting a randomized set of"green"tokens before a word is generated, and then softly promoting use of green tokens during sampling. We propose a statistical test for detecting the watermark with interpretable p-values, and derive an information-theoretic framework for analyzing the sensitivity of the watermark. We test the watermark using a multi-billion parameter model from the Open Pretrained Transformer (OPT) family, and discuss robustness and security.

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Study Snapshot

Key takeawayThis paper proposes a watermarking framework for proprietary language models, which can be embedded with negligible impact on text quality and detected using an efficient open-source algorithm without access to the language model API or parameters.

PopulationOlder adults (50-71 years)

Sample size24

MethodsObservational

OutcomesBody Mass Index projections

ResultsSocial networks mitigate obesity in older groups.

A Watermark for Large Language Models

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