Thread

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

103 points · 110 comments · yu3zhou4

Izmaki · 1790508818 · 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. jrm4 · 1790511129 · focus · HN ↗
  Neither of your wants are realistic or sensible, at least in the way I think you're presenting them?
  The first is equivalent to "I don't want my operating system to be used to program viruses."
  The second is "I don't want vendors to include marketing in their product."
  1. Izmaki · 1790511358 · focus · HN ↗
    Pretend for a moment that Microsoft shipped Windows with a keylogger to make sure that you did not commit any form of crime. I don't want a keylogger on my PC even though I don't intend to commit crime.
    I also appreciate privacy even though I "have nothing to hide" - just because I "have nothing to hide" it doesn't mean I want companies scanning my camera roll.
    msdz · 1790514393 · focus · HN ↗
    > I "have nothing to hide"
    Paraphrasing Bruce Schneier [0] for another example even “non-technical” people should understand (I have heard people essentially agreeing to the hypothetical keylogger because of “nothing to hide”, after all…):
    I have nothing to hide, and yet I’d still prefer to go to the bathroom with the door closed.
    [0] <a href="https://www.schneier.com/blog/archives/2006/05/the_value_of_pr.html#:~:text=We%20do%20nothing%20wrong%20when%20we%20make%20love%20or%20go%20to%20the%20bathroom." rel="nofollow">https://www.schneier.com/blog/archives/2006/05/the_value_of_...

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