N N Taleb's Probability Questions (UNOFFICIAL) Stephen Wolfram visits RWRI 18 (Summer Workshop) (2023)
Nov 11, 2025
Stephen Wolfram, founder of Wolfram Research and creator of Mathematica, joins the discussion to delve into the intricacies of AI and computation. He describes ChatGPT as a 'stochastic parrot' and explores the flaws of statistical language models. Wolfram discusses the implications of automation on jobs, the need for constraints on AI outputs, and the potential for LLMs to serve as user interfaces. He also highlights the challenges in defining AI governance and the importance of integrating real-world knowledge to enhance decision-making.
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Language Has A Higher-Level Grammar
- Large language models (LLMs) statistically predict the next token, producing human-like text without planning.
- This reveals a higher-level semantic grammar in language beyond syntax that LLMs exploit.
LLM Errors Mirror Human Mistakes
- Computational systems can produce human-like mistakes and apparent reasoning by pattern matching, not by true understanding.
- Many LLM errors resemble human errors, explaining both impressive outputs and critical failures.
Use Computation For Precise Answers
- Connect LLMs to precise computational tools when exact answers are needed.
- Use systems like Wolfram Language to compute facts and feed results back into the LLM's output.