FernUni LLM Experimental Infrastructure (FLEXI) -- Enabling Experimentation and Innovation in Higher Education Through Access to Open Large Language Models
<|reference_start|>FernUni LLM Experimental Infrastructure (FLEXI) -- Enabling Experimentation and Innovation in Higher Education Through Access to Open Large Language Models: Using the full potential of LLMs in higher education is hindered by challenges with access to LLMs. The two main access modes currently discussed are paying for a cloud-based LLM or providing a locally maintained open LLM. In this paper, we describe the current state of establishing an open LLM infrastructure at FernUniversit\"at in Hagen under the project name FLEXI (FernUni LLM Experimental Infrastructure). FLEXI enables experimentation within teaching and research with the goal of generating strongly needed evidence in favor (or against) the use of locally maintained open LLMs in higher education. The paper will provide some practical guidance for everyone trying to decide whether to run their own LLM server.<|reference_end|>
@article{zesch2024fernuni,
    title={FernUni LLM Experimental Infrastructure (FLEXI) -- Enabling
  Experimentation and Innovation in Higher Education Through Access to Open
  Large Language Models},
    author={Torsten Zesch and Michael Hanses and Niels Seidel and Piush Aggarwal
  and Dirk Veiel and Claudia de Witt},
    journal={arXiv preprint arXiv:2407.13013},
    year={2024},
    archivePrefix={arXiv},
    eprint={2407.13013},
    primaryClass={cs.CY cs.AI}
}