‹ 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. azornathogron · · focus · HN ↗
        Going to the doctor for expert advice is often inconvenient, or time consuming, or expensive, or stressful. I think a lot of people want, and seek out, information and advice based on their symptoms, as a first step before a possible doctor&#x27;s visit. Before LLMs, WebMD (and excessive self-diagnosis based on WebMD) was a meme for a while.

        So with regard to LLMs, for me the question is not purely &quot;how often does it get it right?&quot; the question is &quot;how does it compare to the sources and self-diagnosis methods people use otherwise?&quot;

        Of course, I agree people should be careful with any form of self-diagnosis or LLM-diagnosis.

Open on Hacker News to reply ↗

Unofficial Hacker News client; not affiliated with Y Combinator.