The One Percent Rule

Today’s large language models, with their vastly increased complexity and capability, create an even more compelling illusion of understanding. When interacting with these systems, users often project meaning, intent, and comprehension onto the AI’s responses, even when the system is merely producing statistically likely sequences of words based on its training data. This illusion of understanding has profound implications:

1. Over-reliance on AI Systems: Users may place undue trust in AI-generated content, assuming a level of comprehension and reliability that doesn’t actually exist.

2. Anthropomorphizing: The tendency to attribute human-like qualities to these systems can lead to unrealistic expectations and potential disappointment.