What is an LLM Router? – RouteLLM Explained

In this video, Sam Witteveen introduces RouteLLM, a new open-source framework from LMSys designed to optimize the selection of large language models (LLMs) based on the input query. This framework aims to reduce costs by routing queries to the most appropriate model, whether it be a cheaper, faster model like Llama 3 or a more powerful one like GPT-4. RouteLLM uses a router that analyzes the incoming prompt and decides which model to use, achieving significant cost savings while maintaining high accuracy. The video explains the methodology behind RouteLLM, including the use of embeddings, matrix factorization, and classifiers to predict the best model for each query. Sam highlights the practical benefits of this framework for applications in production, where managing costs is crucial. The video also points out that LMSys has made the code, datasets, and models available on GitHub and Hugging Face, enabling developers to implement and customize the routing system for their specific needs.