Fundamental Limitations of Generative LLMs

Abstract

Given the impressive performances of LLM-derived tools across a range of tasks considered all but impossible for computers until recently, the capabilities of LLMs seem limitless. However, there are some fundamental limitations to what they can or cannot do inherent to the current architecture of LLMs. I will attempt to review the most notable of them to give the reader an understanding of what architectural modifications will need to take place before a given problem is solved. Specifically, I discuss counterfactual generation, private information leakage, reasoning, limited attention span, dependence on the training dataset, bias, and non-normative language.