This is one of those things where people who don't know how to use tools think they're bad, like people who would write whole sentences into search engines in the 90s.

LLMs are bad at counting the number of rows in a spreadsheet. LLMs are great at "write a Python script that counts the number of rows in this spreadsheet".

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teolandon 2 hours ago | parent [-]

Do you think asking any LLM in the next 100 years to "write a Python script that generates an OS" will work?

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antonyh 2 hours ago | parent | next [-]

Yes, for some definition of OS. It could build a DOS-like or other TUI, or a list of installed apps that you pick from. Devices are built on specifications, so that's all possible. System API it could define and refine as it goes. General utilities like file management are basically a list of objects with actions attached. And so on... the more that is rigidly specified, the better it will do.

It'll fail miserably at making it human-friendly though, and attempt to pilfer existing popular designs. If it builds a GUI, it's be a horrible mashup of Windows 7/8/10/11, various versions of OSX / MacOS, iOS, and Android. It won't 'get' the difference between desktop, laptop, mobile, or tablet. It might apply HIG rules, but that would end up with a clone at best.

In short, it would most likely make something technically passable but nightmareish to use.

	▲	margalabargala an hour ago \| parent [-]
		Given 100 years though? 100 years ago we barely had vacuum tubes and airplanes. Given a century the only unreasonable part is oneshotting with no details, context, or follow up questions. If you tell Linus Torvalds "write a python script that generates and OS", his response won't be the script, it'll be "who are you and how did you get into my house".

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margalabargala 2 hours ago | parent | prev [-]

Considering how simple "an OS" can be, yes, and in the 2020s.

If you're expecting OSX, AI will certainly be able to make that and better "in the next 100 years". Though perhaps not oneshotting off something as vague as "make an OS" without followup questions about target architecture and desired features.