Full Explanation
LLMs are neural networks trained on vast text datasets. They identify patterns in connections between words and topics. This training gives them one primary capability: Prediction. They predict the next word or token based on the input context.
Is this different from humans? Yes and no. The human brain is also a predictive engine, but the Grounding differs:
- AI Grounding is Wide: It is grounded in the textual representation of the world (all books, all webs). It knows "about" everything but "experiences" nothing.
- Human Grounding is Deep: It is grounded in reality—senses, emotions, and physical existence.
Therefore, the proper mental model for "AI Thinking" is not a Silicon Valley brain in a vat, but a sophisticated Prediction Engine continually asking, "Given what I've seen so far, what comes next?"