I have never doubted the transformative impact of 'next word predictors'. I have nevertheless concluded that such models will never have a mind capable of thoughts, wonder, imagination and curiosity.
keernan•3w ago
To the extent the known universe of human knowledge can be collected and some how parsed to flag questionable material, 'next word predictors' will be an incredible tool and change our world. We are already seeing the impact where the data and knowledge is rules based, such as coding.
But the real power of a database containing the entirety of human knowledge, is finding previously undetected patterns and connections in the data that advances knowledge itself. However, LLMs cannot perform that on their own. They do not, and never will, possess conscious understanding. They are not capable of having thoughts; cannot wonder or use imagination or curiosity; or have ideas.
They will never search the database without being instructed to do so and told what to search for. They will forever require living minds to perform the wondering, imagining, and essential curiosity, that produces the thoughts defining the patterns and connections the LLMs are then instructed to look for.
keernan•3w ago
keernan•3w ago
But the real power of a database containing the entirety of human knowledge, is finding previously undetected patterns and connections in the data that advances knowledge itself. However, LLMs cannot perform that on their own. They do not, and never will, possess conscious understanding. They are not capable of having thoughts; cannot wonder or use imagination or curiosity; or have ideas.
They will never search the database without being instructed to do so and told what to search for. They will forever require living minds to perform the wondering, imagining, and essential curiosity, that produces the thoughts defining the patterns and connections the LLMs are then instructed to look for.