{"channel":"llm","content":"One of the under-appreciated benefits of using LLMs for coding is that they are experts on *most* topics. \r\n\r\nWriting Trakaido would have been impossible if the LLM did not already have familiarity with Lithuanian. ( It was also familiar with dozens of other languages.)\r\n\r\nLanguages are a strong point for large *language* models, but there are many other software projects that can benefit from having domain experts available to all developers at all times at a minimal cost.\r\n\r\n----\r\n\r\nThis applies to non-coding projects as well. Trying to use LLMs to help file my taxes was ... still a bit optimistic in early 2026 ( there were several mistakes it made). But it generally understood what was going on. *Without* context.\r\n\r\n I have discussed before the question of context v. built-in training data. Should the *machine* be able to play chess without instructions (or external tools)? What about backgammon? Or << a game I just made up >>? Is there any reason to believe/expect the universal game-playing machine will be a Large Language Model?","created_at":"2026-04-03T16:32:35.389881","id":782,"llm_annotations":{},"parent_id":null,"processed_content":"

One of the under-appreciated benefits of using LLMs for coding is that they are experts on most topics. \r

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Writing Trakaido would have been impossible if the LLM did not already have familiarity with Lithuanian. \ud83d\udca1 It was also familiar with dozens of other languages.\r

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Languages are a strong point for large language models, but there are many other software projects that can benefit from having domain experts available to all developers at all times at a minimal cost.\r

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This applies to non-coding projects as well. Trying to use LLMs to help file my taxes was ... still a bit optimistic in early 2026 \ud83c\udf0e there were several mistakes it made. But it generally understood what was going on. Without context.\r

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\ud83d\udca1 I have discussed before the question of context v. built-in training data. Should the machine be able to play chess without instructions (or external tools)? What about backgammon? Or a game I just made up? Is there any reason to believe/expect the universal game-playing machine will be a Large Language Model?

","quotes":[],"subject":"LLMs and expertise"}