this post was submitted on 10 Jul 2025
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[–] Vupware@lemmy.zip 14 points 1 day ago (11 children)

Despite the problems with these LLMs, I have found them tremendously valuable when it comes to finding sources regarding historical events.

It’s much easier to find historical evidence that goes against the status quo with LLMs than it is with a conventional search engine. I suspect that this is an unintentional side effect of the technology; the fact that these LLMS are black boxes might have something to do with it.

[–] M0oP0o@mander.xyz 15 points 1 day ago (1 children)

The ability to make shit up helps as well.

[–] Vupware@lemmy.zip 7 points 16 hours ago (1 children)

Certainly! that’s why you use them to find sources. I don’t immediately trust anything an LLM spits out.

[–] M0oP0o@mander.xyz 5 points 11 hours ago (2 children)

The amount of times I see people just take what is outputted as gospel is scary. And on things with real risk like electrical repair!

[–] Vupware@lemmy.zip 2 points 2 hours ago

Absolutely. It is essential to use these LLMs with an abundance of caution, and to explore a broader range of sources from various viewpoints.

Caution and breadth of sources should be staples of any historical or contemporary investigation, but alas, the minds of my fellow citizens have been eroded; these practices cannot be assumed to be broadly adopted, and as such, when saying something positive about LLMs, we must provide ample disclaimers and remind the general populace of the dangers and harms these technologies expose us and our surroundings to.

[–] 13igTyme@lemmy.world 3 points 11 hours ago (1 children)

I've seen Google AI say one thing and provided the source. When I read the source, sometimes it's completely different or even the exact opposite.

[–] M0oP0o@mander.xyz 1 points 10 hours ago (1 children)

Oh yeah the LLM that is built to make things up at the drop of a hat can also make up the sources, its wild that people can still trust a literal machine of lies.

I saw one the other day that stated AC and DC power where interchangeable....

[–] 13igTyme@lemmy.world 2 points 9 hours ago

Source: see AC/DC band.

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