Visualizing Attention in Transformer-Based Language Representation Models
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Abstract (arXiv)
We present an open-source tool for visualizing multi-head self-attention in Transformer-based language representation models. The tool extends earlier work by visualizing attention at three levels of granularity: the attention-head level, the model level, and the neuron level. We describe how each of these views can help to interpret the model, and we demonstrate the tool on the BERT model and the OpenAI GPT-2 model. We also present three use cases for analyzing GPT-2: detecting model bias, identifying recurring patterns, and linking neurons to model behavior.
Key facts. Cited by 8 papers in the map (data through 7 Oct 2026). First posted on arXiv 4 Apr 2019.
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Citing papers per year: 2023: 2; 2024: 2; 2025: 3; 2026: 1.
8 papers.
- 2025A Survey on Mechanistic Interpretability for Multi-Modal Foundation Modelscited by 34
- 2024InternalInspector I2: Robust Confidence Estimation in LLMs through Internal Statescited by 29
- 2023Interpretability Illusions in the Generalization of Simplified Modelscited by 24
- 2025ReasonGraph: Visualisation of Reasoning Pathscited by 6
- 2024Lines of Thought in Large Language Modelscited by 5
- 2025ReTrace: Interactive Visualizations for Reasoning Traces of Large Reasoning Modelscited by 3
- 2026Mechanistic Interpretability for Neural Networks: Circuits, Sparse Features and Symbolic Reasoningcited by 1
- 2023Extracting Interpretable Local and Global Representations from Attention on Time Seriescited by 0
- 2026Mechanistic Interpretability for Neural Networks: Circuits, Sparse Features and Symbolic Reasoning8 Jul 2026
- 2025ReTrace: Interactive Visualizations for Reasoning Traces of Large Reasoning Models14 Nov 2025
- 2025ReasonGraph: Visualisation of Reasoning Paths6 Mar 2025
- 2025A Survey on Mechanistic Interpretability for Multi-Modal Foundation Models22 Feb 2025
- 2024Lines of Thought in Large Language Models2 Oct 2024
- 2024InternalInspector I2: Robust Confidence Estimation in LLMs through Internal States17 Jun 2024
- 2023Interpretability Illusions in the Generalization of Simplified Models6 Dec 2023
- 2023Extracting Interpretable Local and Global Representations from Attention on Time Series16 Sep 2023