From Socrates to ChatGPT: The Ancient Lesson AI-powered Language Models Have Yet to Learn

Although developed by some of the brightest minds of the 21st century, AI-powered large language models (LLMs) could learn something from one of the greatest minds of the 1st century BCE.

Socrates, widely regarded as the founder of Western philosophy, declared, "I know that I know nothing." This simple statement highlights the wisdom of acknowledging the limits of one's own knowledge.

A simple statement, yes, but like some people, LLMs struggle with saying “I don’t know.” In fact, LLMs often can't admit that they don't know something because of the way they are trained, according to a research team that includes a Georgia Tech computer science (CS) professor.