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A warning about 'model welfare'

242 points · 701 comments · andsoitis

  1. InsideOutSanta · · focus · HN ↗
    I think the whole discussion about consciousness misses the simple point that LLMs might just work better if we treat them as if they were conscious.

    Maybe it's a coincidence that the company doing this also tends to have the best models (and other factors certainly play a strong role). But I think it's plausible that focusing on "model welfare" actually makes models better at their tasks.

    1. qarl · · focus · HN ↗
      Yes.

      They're trained on human behavior. Whether or not they genuinely have feelings - they sure as heck behave as though they do.

      And when you treat people well, they do better work for you.

      No brainer.

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