‹ BackHN Continuity

Thread

"As a Language Model": Chat Template Switches LLM Self-Referential Voice

103 points · 110 comments · yu3zhou4

  1. Izmaki · · focus · HN ↗
    "As a Language Model..." is one of the beginnings of a sentence I hate the most from LLMs and is the reason why I support free (as in "Liberty"), local models. I'm well aware that it is not a doctor and cannot replace a real doctor with multiple years of experience, I don't need to waste braincell activity on reading that it "as a Language Model" cannot give a precise diagnosis and that I should ask a real doctor - all I want to know is if I what I experience justifies either A) ER, B) 3-4 weeks scheduled doctors appointment or C) two paracetamol and a nap.

    I don't want "jailbroken" LLMs to commit crime. I want them to avoid having this vendor-specific "bloatware" all over the product I'm using.

    1. Anduia · · focus · HN ↗
      Be careful there. LLMs may be good at identifying a condition based on a description of the symptoms, but they are much worse at recommending the correct course of action (getting it wrong half of the time).

      [0] <a href="https:&#x2F;&#x2F;www.nature.com&#x2F;articles&#x2F;s41591-025-04074-y" rel="nofollow">https:&#x2F;&#x2F;www.nature.com&#x2F;articles&#x2F;s41591-025-04074-y

      1. Izmaki · · focus · HN ↗
        ...I know, which is why &quot;as a Language Model and not a real doctor&quot; is a pointless comment to start off with. It should simply not recommend treatment if it&#x27;s not sure it is correct. I wouldn&#x27;t blame it or anyone if they asked for help treating a stiff neck, and the LLM (or your neighbor or parent or spouse) suggested light exercises to help relieve it - and do not jump to the suspicion that you may have meningitis.

        As a Human, I do not need to know it is a Language Model.

        1. perching_aix · · focus · HN ↗
          &gt; It should simply not recommend treatment if it&#x27;s not sure it is correct

          Oh okay, darn, guess they just forgot to make it so!

          1. nvme0n1p1 · · focus · HN ↗
            It sounds like OpenAI forgot to include &quot;make no mistakes&quot; in the system prompt. Rookie mistake.
Open on Hacker News to reply ↗

Unofficial Hacker News client; not affiliated with Y Combinator.