Large language models (LLMs) are transforming human-computer interaction and
conceptions of artificial intelligence (AI) with their impressive capacities
for conversing and reasoning in natural language. There is growing interest in
whether LLMs have theory of mind (ToM); the ability to reason about the mental
and emotional states of others that is core to human social intelligence. As
LLMs are integrated into the fabric of our personal, professional and social
lives and given greater agency to make decisions with real-world consequences,
there is a critical need to understand how they can be aligned with human
values. ToM seems to be a promising direction of inquiry in this regard.
Following the literature on the role and impacts of human ToM, this paper
identifies key areas in which LLM ToM will show up in human:LLM interactions at
individual and group levels, and what opportunities and risks for alignment are
raised in each. On the individual level, the paper considers how LLM ToM might
manifest in goal specification, conversational adaptation, empathy and
anthropomorphism. On the group level, it considers how LLM ToM might facilitate
collective alignment, cooperation or competition, and moral judgement-making.
The paper lays out a broad spectrum of potential implications and suggests the
most pressing areas for future research.

大型语言模型在人机交互和人工智能方面的能力使他们能够以自然语言进行对话和推理，现在人们对于这些模型是否具备心智理论（ToM）的能力，即推理他人心理和情感状态的核心能力，产生了越来越多的兴趣。本研究通过对人类心智理论的角色和影响的文献进行探讨，识别出 LLM ToM 在个体和集体层面与人类互动中的关键领域，并指出了每个领域中所涉及的机会与风险。在个体层面上，本文考虑了 LLM ToM 在目标规范、对话适应、共情和拟人化方面的表现方式。在群体层面上，本文考虑了 LLM ToM 如何促进集体调适、合作或竞争以及道德判断。该研究阐述了一系列潜在的影响，并提出了未来研究的最急需关注的领域。