[BitwiseFool]

>"It didn't help that the LLM was confidently incorrect."

Has anyone else ever dealt with a somewhat charismatic know-it-all who knows just enough to give authoritative answers? LLM output often reminds me of such people.

[SamBam]

That’s a great question — and one that highlights a subtle misconception about how LLMs actually work.

At first glance, it’s easy to compare them to a charismatic “know-it-all” who sounds confident while being only half-right. After all, both can produce fluent, authoritative-sounding answers that sometimes miss the mark. But here’s where the comparison falls short — and where LLMs really shine:

(...ok ok, I can't go on.)

[ryandrake]

Most of the most charismatic, confident know-it-alls I have ever met have been in the tech industry. And not just the usual suspects (founders, managers, thought leaders, architects) but regular rank-and-file engineers. The whole industry is infested with know-it-alls. Hell, HN is infested with know-it-alls. So it's no surprise that one of the biggest products of the decade is an Automated Know-It-All machine.

[mwigdahl]

Perfect! You really got to the core of the matter! The only thing I noticed is that your use of the em-dash needs to not be bracketed with spaces on either end. LLMs—as recommended by most common style guides—stick to the integrated style that treats the em-dash as part of the surrounding words.

[mvdtnz]

This isn't funny or clever. Stop it.

[DamnInteresting]

Colloquially known as "bullshitters."[1]

[1] https://dictionary.cambridge.org/us/dictionary/english/bulls...

[bigfishrunning]

If those people are wrong enough times, they are either removed from the organization or they scare anyone competent away from the organization, which then dies. LLMs seem to be getting a managerial pass (because the cost is subsidized by mountains of VC money and thus very low (for now)) so only the latter outcome is likely.

[SoftTalker]

Yes, they have been around forever, they are known as bullshitters.

The bullshitter doesn't care whether what he says is correct or not, as long as it's convincing.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/On_Bullshit

[XxiXx]

There's even a name for such person: Manager

[fluoridation]

I'm pretty sure I'm that guy on some topics.

[BitwiseFool]

>"I'm pretty sure I'm that guy on some topics."

The use of 'pretty sure' disqualifies you. I appreciate your humility.

[pmarreck]

Sounds like every product manager I've ever had, lol (sorry PM's!)