February 2025 | Product 3004372
An Introduction to Capabilities
and Limitations of Large
Language Models and Generative
AI Technology
Machine learning tools open a plethora of opportunities in content creation. This
summary clarifies the capabilities and limitations of these tools and how human
guidance is still needed, specifically when considering ethics, credibility and
safety.
Many approach the rise of machine learning
tools like large language models (LLM) and
multimodal generative artificial intelligence
(GAI) with great expectations. These systems
have multiple capabilities and diverse
applications. For example, they can answer
questions, analyze sentiment, generate images
from text, and follow instructions. Common
applications include content creation,
translation, code generation, cybersecurity,
candidate screening, storytelling, and virtual
assistants. LLM and GAI capabilities are growing
at an enormous rate, with major new systems
and applications announced each week.
This storm of development inspired IDA
researcher Dr. Daniel Shapiro to conduct an
assessment of what these tools can achieve in
principle, with the goal of tying readers’
expectations for their capabilities and limitations
to a core understanding of the technology. This
report explains why generative AI and large
language models are able to demonstrate “a level
