Language model hallucination detection

Abstract

In some embodiments, a language model forward traversal with a few-shot learning forward prompt yields a primary answer from a primary question. Then at least one backward traversal yields at least one candidate question using backward prompt(s) with answer-question pairs derived from the forward prompt's question-answer pairs. Each backward prompt also includes the primary answer but not the primary question. Each backward traversal is through one or more language models, not necessarily including the forward traversal's language model. Sometimes backward traversals vary model temperature, top-p, or top-k. A vector distance calculated between at least some candidate question vectors and a primary question vector indicates whether the primary answer includes hallucination content, and in some cases how much. Some embodiments withhold hallucinated answers from user interfaces and device control interfaces. Some embodiments also loop to obtain an answer with less hallucination content.