Interpreting Embedding Spaces by Conceptualization
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Abstract (arXiv)
One of the main methods for computational interpretation of a text is mapping it into a vector in some embedding space. Such vectors can then be used for a variety of textual processing tasks. Recently, most embedding spaces are a product of training large language models (LLMs). One major drawback of this type of representation is their incomprehensibility to humans. Understanding the embedding space is crucial for several important needs, including the need to debug the embedding method and compare it to alternatives, and the need to detect biases hidden in the model. In this paper, we present a novel method of understanding embeddings by transforming a latent embedding space into a comprehensible conceptual space. We present an algorithm for deriving a conceptual space with dynamic on-demand granularity. We devise a new evaluation method, using either human rater or LLM-based raters, to show that the conceptualized vectors indeed represent the semantics of the original latent ones. We show the use of our method for various tasks, including comparing the semantics of alternative models and tracing the layers of the LLM. The code is available online https://github.com/adiSimhi/Interpreting-Embedding-Spaces-by-Conceptualization.
Key facts. Cited by 6 papers in the map (data through 7 Oct 2026). Builds on 28 of its 57 references that are in the map. First posted on arXiv 22 Aug 2022.
Builds on
28 of 57 references.
References · 28
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16 more
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Citing papers per year: 2024: 2; 2025: 2; 2026: 2.
6 papers.
- 2025Position: Text Embeddings Should Capture Implicit Semantics, Not Just Surface Meaningcited by 10
- 2025Towards an Explainable Comparison and Alignment of Feature Embeddingscited by 9
- 2024SWEA: Updating Factual Knowledge in Large Language Models via Subject Word Embedding Alteringcited by 7
- 2026EPSVec: Efficient and Private Synthetic Data Generation via Dataset Vectorscited by 2
- 2024Wave Network: An Ultra-Small Language Modelcited by 1
- 2026Persistent Convolution: A Topological Framework for AI Alignment Testing and Semantic Space Characterizationcited by 1
- 2026Persistent Convolution: A Topological Framework for AI Alignment Testing and Semantic Space Characterization31 Jul 2026
- 2026EPSVec: Efficient and Private Synthetic Data Generation via Dataset Vectors31 Jan 2026
- 2025Position: Text Embeddings Should Capture Implicit Semantics, Not Just Surface Meaning10 Jun 2025
- 2025Towards an Explainable Comparison and Alignment of Feature Embeddings6 Jun 2025
- 2024Wave Network: An Ultra-Small Language Model4 Nov 2024
- 2024SWEA: Updating Factual Knowledge in Large Language Models via Subject Word Embedding Altering31 Jan 2024