Zero Shot Chain of Thought

TLDR: Zero Shot Chain of Thought is a problem-solving technique where users guide a Language Model (LLM) step by step or provide structured instructions to generate systematic responses. By breaking down complex problems into manageable stages, users can elicit more organized and detailed insights from the LLM. This approach allows for a logical progression of thought and facilitates the generation of step-by-step solutions or analyses.

What is Zero Shot Chain of Thought

Zero Shot Chain of Thought, also known as Step-by-Step Thinking or Deconstruction of a Problem, refers to the process of guiding a Language Model (LLM) through a problem-solving task by breaking it down into sequential steps or providing a structured set of instructions.

For example, suppose you want to ask the LLM to solve a math problem. Instead of simply providing the problem statement and expecting an immediate answer, you can employ Zero Shot Chain of Thought to guide the LLM through the problem-solving process step by step. By deconstructing the problem into individual stages, you instruct the LLM to follow a logical progression of thought, considering each step and building towards the final solution.

When should you use it?

You should use Zero Shot Chain of Thought when you want to guide the language model through a pre-determined set of steps. By doing so, ChatGPT will generate responses bound by preset parameters without solely relying on the model's pre-trained knowledge. It allows you to prompt the model to reason and infer beyond its initial training by providing a chain of steps to reach a desired outcome.

Common scenarios where it is utilized

• PDF analysis

• Complex math

• Analyzing Complex Situations

• Outlining a Strategic Plan

• Exploring Cause and Effect of an Event

Example

If you were reviewing an investment memo PDF that had information scattered throughout the document you would need to provide instructions to the LLM to summarize the information.

Prompt: "What is the board composition and control under the terms? Perform the following steps to determine the composition

1. Determine which party (ACME Corp, ABC Industries, or the founder) will have control of the board.

2. Identify how many board seats are allocated to ACME Corp, ABC Industries, and the founder respectively.

3. Note if an independent director is mentioned.

4. Based on steps 1 through 3, summarize the key details regarding board composition:

   1. Which party has control

   2. The number of seats for ACME Corp, ABC Industries, or the founder

   3. If an independent director is mentioned

5. Double-check your summary against the memorandum details for accuracy."

Final Notes

Please note that the success of Zero Shot Chain of Thought relies on clear and concise instructions, and it may be beneficial to iteratively refine the prompts to achieve the desired level of detail and accuracy in the LLM's responses.