AGENTIC-SYSTEMSApril 3, 20261 min read12 views

Therefore I am. I Think

New research suggests that large language models encode decisions in their internal activations before generating reasoning tokens, often using the chain-of-thought process to rationalize pre-determined choices.

Computer Science > Artificial Intelligence

Title: Therefore I am. I Think

Abstract: We consider the question: when a large language reasoning model makes a choice, did it think first and then decide to, or decide first and then think? In this paper, we present evidence that detectable, early-encoded decisions shape chain-of-thought in reasoning models. Specifically, we show that a simple linear probe successfully decodes tool-calling decisions from pre-generation activations with very high confidence, and in some cases, even before a single reasoning token is produced. Activation steering supports this causally: perturbing the decision direction leads to inflated deliberation, and flips behavior in many examples (between 7 - 79% depending on model and benchmark). We also show through behavioral analysis that, when steering changes the decision, the chain-of-thought process often rationalizes the flip rather than resisting it. Together, these results suggest that reasoning models can encode action choices before they begin to deliberate in text.

Source: arXiv cs.AI Recent

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