Comment by anal_reactor
6 days ago
Arguments like "but AI cannot reliably multiply numbers" fundamentally misunderstand how AI works. AI cannot do basic math not because AI is stupid, but because basic math is an inherently difficult task for otherwise smart AI. Lots of human adults can do complex abstract thinking but when you ask them to count it's "one... two... three... five... wait I got lost".
> fundamentally misunderstand how AI works
Who does fundamentally understand how LLMs work? Many claims flying around these days, all backed by some of the largest investments ever collectively made by humans. Lots of money to be lost because of fundamental misunderstandings.
Personally, I find that AI influencers conveniently brush away any evidence (like inability to perform basic arithmetic) about how LLMs fundamentally work as something that should be ignored in favor of results like TFA.
Do LLMs have utility? Undoubtedly. But it’s a giant red flag for me that their fundamental limitations, of which there are many, are verboten to be spoken about.
You're not doing yourself a favor when you point out "but they can't do arithmetic!" as if anyone says otherwise. Yes, we all know they can't do arithmetic, and that's just how they work.
I feel like I'm saying "this hammer is so cool, it's made driving nails a breeze" and people go "but it can't screw screws in! Why won't anyone talk about that! Hammers really aren't all they're cracked up to be".
Maybe because society has invested $trillions into this hammer and influencers are trying to convince CEOs to fire everyone and buy a bunch of hammers instead.
My comment even said “LLMs have utility”. I gave an inch, and now the mile must be taken.
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Because know one owns a $300 billion dollar hammer that literally runs on fancy calculators.