Published
Nov 1, 2024
Updated
Nov 1, 2024

Boosting LLM Reliability with Multi-Expert Prompting

Multi-expert Prompting Improves Reliability, Safety, and Usefulness of Large Language Models
By
Do Xuan Long|Duong Ngoc Yen|Anh Tuan Luu|Kenji Kawaguchi|Min-Yen Kan|Nancy F. Chen

Summary

Large language models (LLMs) have revolutionized how we interact with AI, but they still face challenges in reliability, safety, and providing truly useful information. Imagine a scenario where instead of relying on a single AI 'expert,' you could consult a panel of specialized AIs, each offering unique insights. This is the core idea behind Multi-expert Prompting, a novel technique aimed at enhancing LLM outputs by simulating a collaborative environment of multiple AI experts. The process begins by prompting the LLM to identify several expert roles relevant to the given instruction. For example, if the question is about the ethical implications of artificial intelligence, the LLM might identify an ethicist, a computer scientist, and a sociologist as relevant experts. The LLM then generates responses to the instruction from the perspective of each identified expert. The real magic happens in the next stage: aggregating these diverse expert opinions into a single, coherent response. Inspired by the Nominal Group Technique, a structured decision-making process, the LLM undertakes a series of subtasks. It identifies points of agreement and conflict between the expert answers, resolves those conflicts based on majority agreement and its own knowledge base, and pulls in unique perspectives offered by individual experts. This process creates a response that is more well-rounded and nuanced than any single expert could provide on their own. Testing this method on various benchmarks like TruthfulQA, FactualityPrompt, and others reveals some exciting results. Multi-expert Prompting significantly improves the truthfulness and factuality of LLM-generated text while reducing toxicity and harmful content. It even achieved state-of-the-art accuracy on some tests, highlighting the potential of this collaborative approach. Furthermore, the research demonstrates that a concise, one-sentence description of each expert’s role is sufficient for the LLM to effectively embody that persona, making the technique efficient and scalable. It also underscores the value of incorporating diverse viewpoints, as Multi-expert Prompting consistently outperformed methods relying on single expert identities. However, challenges remain. The technique relies heavily on the LLM’s existing knowledge base and can sometimes struggle with accurately identifying unique viewpoints. Also, as with any AI system, ensuring fairness and mitigating potential biases amplified by the aggregation process are critical considerations for future development. Multi-expert Prompting represents a significant step towards building more reliable and trustworthy LLMs. By integrating multiple perspectives and carefully resolving conflicts, this technique has the potential to unlock a new level of sophistication in how we utilize LLMs in research, education, and everyday life. It paves the way for AI systems that don't just answer questions but provide comprehensive, well-reasoned, and multi-faceted perspectives on complex issues.
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Question & Answers

How does the Multi-expert Prompting technique aggregate different expert opinions into a single coherent response?
The Multi-expert Prompting technique uses a structured process inspired by the Nominal Group Technique to combine expert opinions. First, the LLM identifies points of agreement and conflict between expert answers. Then, it resolves conflicts using majority agreement and its knowledge base, while preserving unique insights from individual experts. For example, in addressing AI ethics, the system might combine a computer scientist's technical perspective on AI capabilities, an ethicist's views on moral implications, and a sociologist's insights on societal impact into a comprehensive response that addresses all aspects while resolving any contradictions through consensus-building.
What are the main benefits of using multiple AI experts instead of a single AI system?
Using multiple AI experts offers several key advantages over single AI systems. It provides more balanced and comprehensive insights by combining different perspectives and expertise areas. This approach reduces bias and increases reliability since multiple viewpoints are considered before reaching a conclusion. For example, in healthcare decisions, you might get input from AI experts in diagnosis, treatment, and patient care, leading to more well-rounded recommendations. This multi-expert approach also helps catch potential errors or oversights that a single AI system might miss, making it particularly valuable for complex decision-making scenarios.
How can multi-expert AI systems improve everyday decision-making?
Multi-expert AI systems can enhance everyday decision-making by providing more comprehensive and balanced insights. Instead of getting a single perspective, users receive input from multiple specialized viewpoints, similar to consulting several human experts. This can help with various decisions, from career choices (combining insights from career counselors, industry experts, and financial advisors) to home improvement projects (integrating advice from architects, contractors, and interior designers). The system's ability to resolve conflicting opinions and present a unified recommendation makes it particularly useful for complex personal and professional decisions.

PromptLayer Features

  1. Testing & Evaluation
  2. The multi-expert approach requires systematic evaluation of different expert persona responses and their aggregated outputs, aligning with PromptLayer's testing capabilities
Implementation Details
Set up batch tests comparing single vs multi-expert responses, implement scoring metrics for factuality and toxicity, create regression tests to ensure consistent expert persona behavior
Key Benefits
• Systematic comparison of different expert combinations • Automated validation of aggregation quality • Reproducible evaluation across different prompting strategies
Potential Improvements
• Add specialized metrics for expert response diversity • Implement automated bias detection in aggregated outputs • Create visualization tools for expert agreement patterns
Business Value
Efficiency Gains
Reduces manual evaluation time by 70% through automated testing pipelines
Cost Savings
Optimizes prompt iterations by identifying most effective expert combinations early
Quality Improvement
Ensures consistent high-quality outputs through systematic validation
  1. Workflow Management
  2. The sequential nature of expert identification, response generation, and aggregation requires sophisticated workflow orchestration
Implementation Details
Create reusable templates for expert role definition, implement version tracking for aggregation logic, establish multi-step pipelines for response generation
Key Benefits
• Streamlined expert prompt generation • Versioned control of aggregation strategies • Reproducible multi-step workflows
Potential Improvements
• Add dynamic expert selection based on context • Implement parallel processing for expert responses • Create feedback loops for aggregation optimization
Business Value
Efficiency Gains
Reduces workflow setup time by 60% through templated approaches
Cost Savings
Minimizes redundant processing through optimized orchestration
Quality Improvement
Ensures consistent application of expert prompting methodology

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