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Prof. Subbarao Kambhampati - LLMs don't reason, they memorize (ICML2024 2/13)

Machine Learning Street Talk (MLST)

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The Importance of Foundational Knowledge in AI Research

Broad foundational knowledge is essential for graduate students in AI research, as it enables a deeper understanding of key concepts such as logic, reasoning, and the differences between various models and databases. Despite their intelligence, many students focus narrowly on popular skills, often neglecting fundamental principles that are critical for making valid claims and evaluations. It is vital to differentiate between normative (theoretical) and operational (practical) uses of these concepts. As AI moves towards exploration of large models, there is a shift from building artifacts with specific guarantees to testing them for emergent abilities, reminiscent of zoological study due to the unpredictability of these complex systems. Rigorous observational studies are necessary, emphasizing the importance of not simply celebrating positive results but also investigating failures to foster deeper comprehension of AI's capabilities. Being skeptical of empirical claims is crucial to advancing the field responsibly, ensuring that researchers understand where models succeed and fail to support robust and supportable conclusions.

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