tutorials:ai_llm_tools
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| tutorials:ai_llm_tools [2025/06/10 02:00] – chkuo | tutorials:ai_llm_tools [2025/06/12 17:40] (current) – [Value] chkuo | ||
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| * A brief guide to using large language models (LLMs) often referred to as artificial intelligence (AI) tools, such as ChatGPT by OpenAI and Gemini by Google, in the context of academic research and writing. By Chih-Horng Kuo (chk@gate.sinica.edu.tw). Suggestions are welcome. | * A brief guide to using large language models (LLMs) often referred to as artificial intelligence (AI) tools, such as ChatGPT by OpenAI and Gemini by Google, in the context of academic research and writing. By Chih-Horng Kuo (chk@gate.sinica.edu.tw). Suggestions are welcome. | ||
| * Target audience: undergraduate students, graduate students, and postdocs (in biology) | * Target audience: undergraduate students, graduate students, and postdocs (in biology) | ||
| + | |||
| ===== Preface ===== | ===== Preface ===== | ||
| Line 10: | Line 11: | ||
| * As the user, you are responsible for the final output of your work | * As the user, you are responsible for the final output of your work | ||
| * Include proper usage statements | * Include proper usage statements | ||
| - | * For personal use: It is possible | + | * For personal use: |
| + | * Emotional support can be valuable | ||
| + | * Should | ||
| + | * Be careful of potential misuse and harm | ||
| ===== LLMs Explained ===== | ===== LLMs Explained ===== | ||
| Line 18: | Line 23: | ||
| * Predict the next word (token) based on statistical patterns | * Predict the next word (token) based on statistical patterns | ||
| * Do not “think” or “understand” like humans | * Do not “think” or “understand” like humans | ||
| - | * Mimic intelligence, | + | * Mimic intelligence, |
| * Key concept | * Key concept | ||
| * LLMs work by estimating probability relationships among tokens, not by indexing content like a database such as Wikipedia | * LLMs work by estimating probability relationships among tokens, not by indexing content like a database such as Wikipedia | ||
| Line 25: | Line 30: | ||
| * Prompt: user input | * Prompt: user input | ||
| * Session: a series of user input and LLM output | * Session: a series of user input and LLM output | ||
| - | | + | * Good practice: limit the scope and length of individual sessions |
| + | | ||
| + | |||
| + | |||
| + | ==== Value ==== | ||
| + | * Always-available conversation partners | ||
| + | * Often, just having a conversation helps you think much more clearly | ||
| + | * Particularly helpful in the context of emotional | ||
| + | * In some ways, LLMs are like crystals of human knowledge | ||
| + | * Useful for learning new topics efficiently through interactive Q&A | ||
| + | * Perform especially well on topics with abundant, high-quality training data | ||
| + | * Highly proficient in language, particularly useful for clear and precise expression of ideas | ||
| + | * Great tools for self-improvement | ||
| + | * How much can LLMs be trusted? I don't know | ||
| + | * Have I successfully used LLMs to achieve deeper thinking and clearer writing? YES! | ||
| + | * What's the catch? Time and effort | ||
| ==== Limitations ==== | ==== Limitations ==== | ||
| Line 39: | Line 60: | ||
| * LLMs do not know what they do not know; may make up false info (AI hallucination) | * LLMs do not know what they do not know; may make up false info (AI hallucination) | ||
| * For scientific writing | * For scientific writing | ||
| - | * May not be suitable | + | |
| + | | ||
| ==== Common Failure Modes ==== | ==== Common Failure Modes ==== | ||
| - | * Non-specific terminology | ||
| * Superficial content | * Superficial content | ||
| - | * Over simplification | + | * Oversimplification |
| * Overstatement | * Overstatement | ||
| * False coherence | * False coherence | ||
| - | * Hallucination | + | * Hallucination; fabricated web links, DOIs, and PubMed IDs |
| + | * Non-specific terminology for highly specific topics | ||
| - | ==== Value ==== | ||
| - | * In some ways, LLMs are like crystals of human knowledge | ||
| - | * Useful for learning new topics efficiently through interactive Q&A | ||
| - | * Perform especially well on topics with abundant, high-quality training data | ||
| ===== Core Principles for Usage ===== | ===== Core Principles for Usage ===== | ||
| * Use LLMs as tools to sharpen your thinking, not black boxes for quick answers | * Use LLMs as tools to sharpen your thinking, not black boxes for quick answers | ||
| * Do not outsource your thinking process! | * Do not outsource your thinking process! | ||
| + | * Use LLMs in your thinking and learning: you become better | ||
| + | * Use LLMs to think for you: you skip the practice, bad for learning | ||
| * LLMs may not save time | * LLMs may not save time | ||
| * In fact, LLMs are most valuable when used to deepen the thinking process | * In fact, LLMs are most valuable when used to deepen the thinking process | ||
| * Explore possibilities, | * Explore possibilities, | ||
| - | * For example: given the abstract, (1) suggest a title, or (2) suggest three titles, compare the emphasis and tone, refine to express accurately, adjust based on the target audience | + | * Example: You are deciding the title of your manuscript. You provided |
| + | * (1) suggest a title, or | ||
| + | * (2) suggest three titles, compare the emphasis and tone, refine to express accurately, adjust based on the target audience | ||
| * LLMs act like mirrors; their responses reflect your input and framing | * LLMs act like mirrors; their responses reflect your input and framing | ||
| * Trained to be agreeable, they often conform to both your explicit instructions and implicit tone | * Trained to be agreeable, they often conform to both your explicit instructions and implicit tone | ||
| + | * Helpful to make your implicit thoughts become explicit and better organized | ||
| * Suggested practice | * Suggested practice | ||
| * Start with a solid frame of reference | * Start with a solid frame of reference | ||
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| * Assess the output, make decisions, and provide feedback | * Assess the output, make decisions, and provide feedback | ||
| * Use an iterative process; may involve gradual refinement or drastic changes | * Use an iterative process; may involve gradual refinement or drastic changes | ||
| - | * Know when to stop; what did you get in the last iteration? | + | |
| + | | ||
| Line 100: | Line 125: | ||
| * Prepare for discussion with seminar speakers; info about you and the speaker as the input, suggestions of questions to ask as the output | * Prepare for discussion with seminar speakers; info about you and the speaker as the input, suggestions of questions to ask as the output | ||
| * Drafting or refining emails (with tone sensitivity) | * Drafting or refining emails (with tone sensitivity) | ||
| - | * Technology related, such as server/ | + | * Technology related, such as server/ |
| Line 106: | Line 131: | ||
| * Test the tool with topics that you know well first for evaluation | * Test the tool with topics that you know well first for evaluation | ||
| * Push boundaries, learn the situations that LLMs are useful (or not) | * Push boundaries, learn the situations that LLMs are useful (or not) | ||
| + | * Different tools for different uses | ||
| + | * ChatGPT is chatty; highly conversational, | ||
| + | * Gemini integrates Google Search; useful for questions with clear answers and you want the web sources | ||
| * Learn to judge output, know when to reject the suggestions | * Learn to judge output, know when to reject the suggestions | ||
| - | * Do your own fact check | ||
| * Over time, thoughtful use of LLMs can improve your writing, reflection, and decision-making skills | * Over time, thoughtful use of LLMs can improve your writing, reflection, and decision-making skills | ||
| * AI/LLM tools are under intensive development, | * AI/LLM tools are under intensive development, | ||
tutorials/ai_llm_tools.1749492023.txt.gz · Last modified: by chkuo