What are Large Language Models Doing?
88 Citations•2023•
Keith Frankish
journal unavailable
It is implausible to think that LLMs possess communicative desires and perform speech acts, yet it is implausible not to think that LLMs possess communicative desires and perform speech acts.
Abstract
: Are they just spewing out text mechanically, like a parrot or a printer, or are they genuinely conversing with us, answering our questions, complying with our instructions, and so on? Do large language models (LLMs) perform intentional actions? Do they possess beliefs and desires that motivate the replies they produce? Treating LLMs as intentional systems gives us considerable predictive power. Yet, at the same time, it is implausible to think that LLMs possess communicative desires and perform speech acts. So, what are LLMs really doing?