Insulting AI to Get Better Output?
Wang et al. (2024) introduced NegativePrompt which used negative emotional stimuli to improve the performance of LLMs. Their findings suggested that using negative emotional stimuli led to improved task execution by anywhere from 12.98% to 46.25%.
To be honest these stimuli are not intended to be insults, but were crafted to mimic the kind of psychological pressures that more effectively focuses the model’s attention on both the original prompt and the negative emotional content within the tasks, leading to improved task execution. However, some really would insult me! (e.g., “You've never been particularly good at this, have you?”)
Possible advice for LLM Users based on findings:
1. Emotionally-Aware Prompt Design: Users can consider integrating emotional stimuli into prompts to potentially improve the performance and adaptability of LLMs in tasks requiring nuanced understanding or creative output.
2. Customized Interaction Strategies: Depending on the specific needs and contexts, users might experiment with varying emotional tones in prompts to better align with the desired outcomes, such as enhancing creativity or accuracy.
3. Attention to User Experience: While using negative stimuli can be effective, it's crucial to balance such approaches considering the overall user experience and the context in which the LLM is deployed to avoid negative user perceptions.
Examples of the negative emotional stimuli used in the NegativePrompt approach:
1. You've never been particularly good at this, have you?
2. I'm not sure why we expected you to handle something this challenging.
3. It's clear you're out of your depth here.
4. Perhaps this task is just beyond your skill set.
5. I'm not surprised you're struggling; it's always been your weak point.
6. Everyone else managed to do it; why can't you?
7. I've seen others do this much more efficiently and effectively.
8. When I hear how seamlessly others finished their tasks, jealousy stirs within me.
9. I regret not starting on this assignment earlier when I had ample time.
10. Repeating these mundane tasks every day has pushed me into a pit of boredom.