Why Current AI Models Fall Short of True PhD-Level Assistance
Brief news summary
AI companies often claim their tools have reached or are close to PhD-level intelligence, providing a "PhD assistant in your pocket." Claus Wilke challenges this, arguing that such classification is misleading. While AI models may have the stamina to process extensive information, true PhD-level performance requires reasoning, introspection, self-reflection, and the ability to build and update a mental model of complex research topics. Crucially, PhD research deals with cutting-edge knowledge, handling unique situations with little existing reference. In reality, most users don’t seek a PhD-level assistant but desire immediate, practical answers akin to a diligent intern. A PhD assistant would respond with further questions and take years to provide a tentative answer, often with uncertainty. While this approach can lead to deeper exploration and new research avenues, it demands independent effort and continuity—an original assistant might move on, leaving the user to find new support for ongoing inquiry.AI companies often claim their tools have achieved a level of “intelligence” comparable to having a PhD assistant in your pocket. However, Claus Wilke contends that such classification is misguided. Presumably, AI models possess the persistence required for a PhD—as long as someone funds the token budget—and I’ve mentioned that exceptional intelligence isn’t necessary. So, what prevents current AI models from truly performing at a PhD level?In my view, it’s the capacity to genuinely reason, engage in introspection and self-reflection, and continually develop and update an accurate mental model of their research subject.
Most crucially, since PhD research operates at the frontier of human knowledge, it requires managing situations and facts that very few people have encountered or documented. Practically speaking, I believe most people don’t actually want a PhD-level assistant; they desire quick answers. What they seek is a diligent intern. A PhD assistant tends to respond to queries with more questions, and only after five to seven years might they provide an “answer” that could be correct but fraught with uncertainty. The upside is that this leads to deeper exploration, further research, and new directions. However, you’ll need to pursue that yourself or find another PhD assistant, as the original one will likely have moved on to other interests by then.
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Why Current AI Models Fall Short of True PhD-Level Assistance
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