Why LLMs Don't Reach for Calculators: A Deep Dive into Reasoning Gaps
2025-02-20
Large Language Models (LLMs) surprisingly fail at basic math. Even when they recognize a calculation is needed and know calculators exist, they don't use them to improve accuracy. This article analyzes this behavior, arguing that LLMs lack true understanding and reasoning; they merely predict based on language patterns. The author points out that LLM success masks inherent flaws, stressing the importance of human verification when relying on LLMs for crucial tasks. The piece uses a clip from "The Twilight Zone" as an allegory, cautioning against naive optimism about Artificial General Intelligence (AGI).
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AI