OpenNMT / OpenNMT/CTranslate2

Idea: Add CoreML / Apple Neural Engine backend

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#1,169 6 comments 4 reactions 0 assignees View on GitHub

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enhancement
Dominant language
C++
Stars
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Forks
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Avg merge
12h 12m
Merged PRs (30d)
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Description

I don't know anything about CoreML other than the fact that the Neural Engine is very well optimized on Apple's devices. I'm writing this as an idea. Would it be possible to introduce this backend?

I know that Apple has its own CoreML Transformer implementations, and that similar support has been recently added to whisper.cpp, where it brought a significant performance improvement.

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Research direction

The issue names no files, tests, or entry points. Start by determining how a CoreML or Apple Neural Engine backend would fit CTranslate2 and compare it with the linked whisper.cpp work; done would require a defined implementation scope and validation of the claimed performance benefit.

Written by the indexing model from the issue text.

Assessment

Tech stack
cpp, ios
Domain
backend, machine-learning
Issue type
Feature
Difficulty
5/5
Estimated time
Over a week
Activity status
Quiet
Clarity
Needs clarification
Newbie friendliness
25/100

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