Debate
Large Language Models for Plasma Research – Curse or Blessing?
A Debate-Article to appear in Plasma Processes and Polymers by Achim von Keudell, Ruhr University Bochum
Large language models (LLM) such as ChatGPT and others may change the way we do research. These systems serve as a tool for literature searches, data analysis and performing programming tasks. But what are the potentials of LLMs and their shortcomings, especially regarding the very interdisciplinary plasma research?
The advent of large language models (LLM) such as ChatGPT and others will change the way we gather, process and present scientific findings. LLMs are based on collecting information from the internet and composing answers based on the likelihood of succession of words. Thereby, the most common statements and phrases are amplified, hoping these common information pieces are correct. This might, however, not necessarily be true, and the amplification of wrong statements may distort any thorough assessment and analysis of a topic. This is referred to as the hallucination of LLMs [1]. The ease of gathering information and creating answers in a very readable form is a blessing; amplifying wrong statements is a curse. Some publishers have already discussed this in the community and are addressing it [1-5]. But what are the potentials of LLMs and their shortcomings, especially regarding plasma research?