Chain of Thought
A technique used by reasoning models where a complex problem is broken down into a series of intermediate, sequential steps, mimicking a logical thought process to arrive at a solution.
entitydetail.created_at
7/26/2025, 5:17:38 AM
entitydetail.last_updated
7/26/2025, 5:52:27 AM
entitydetail.research_retrieved
7/26/2025, 5:52:26 AM
Summary
Chain of thought, in the context of artificial intelligence, refers to a technique used in natural language processing, particularly within advanced reasoning models. This technique was highlighted in discussions surrounding DeepSeek's R1 Model, an open-source AI that rivals proprietary technology from OpenAI. The development and release of such models, which utilize chain-of-thought prompting, have intensified the debate between open-source and closed-source AI, as well as the broader US-China AI race. The use of chain-of-thought prompting in models like DeepSeek's R1 Model has also raised concerns about AI model security and the potential for techniques like distillation to be employed on existing AI models.
Referenced in 1 Document
Research Data
Extracted Attributes
Field
Natural Language Processing
Types
Structured CoT, Unstructured CoT, Zero-Shot CoT
Purpose
Mimics human thought processes
Benefits
Enhances reliability, transparency, accuracy, and traceability in AI outputs
Category
Prompt Engineering Technique
Introduced By
Wei et al.
Seminal Paper
Chain-of-Thought Prompting Elicits Reasoning in Large Language Models
Key Characteristic
Step-by-step reasoning ('showing the work')
Seminal Paper Author
Google Brain (now DeepMind) research team
Timeline
- The Chain-of-Thought (CoT) technique was introduced in a paper by Wei et al. (Source: web_search_results)
2022-01-01
- The seminal paper 'Chain-of-Thought Prompting Elicits Reasoning in Large Language Models' by the Google Brain (now DeepMind) research team was presented at the NeurIPS conference. (Source: web_search_results)
2022-11-28
- Chain-of-Thought prompting gained significant traction as a solution for unpredictable AI responses and limitations in handling complex, multi-domain problems. (Source: web_search_results)
2022-01-01
- The Chain-of-Thought technique is utilized by advanced AI models such as DeepSeek's R1 Model. (Source: related_documents)
2024-01-01
Wikipedia
View on WikipediaChain of thought
Chain of thought might refer to: a train of thought chain-of-thought prompting, a technique in natural language processing
Web Search Results
- Unraveling the Chain of Thought: How AI Learns to Reason - Medium
How Chain-of-thought (CoT) works? ===================================== Chain of Thought (CoT) is a technique that enhances the reasoning capabilities of language models. Unlike traditional approaches, CoT breaks down complex problems into a series of intermediate steps, mimicking human thought processes. Here’s how it works: [...] In contrast, Chain-of-Thought (CoT) prompting emphasizes a step-by-step reasoning process from start to finish. This approach encourages the model to break down its thinking, making it useful for more complex tasks that require logical reasoning and detailed answers. In essence, the key difference is that CoT prompting is all about “showing the work,” not just giving the answer, leading to more thorough explanations and understanding. [...] The Zero-Shot Chain of Thought (CoT) process is designed to work through two distinct prompts. In the first stage, the system generates a detailed chain of reasoning in response to the initial prompt. This allows the model to break down its thought process step-by-step, providing intermediate reasoning before reaching the final conclusion.
- What is Chain-of-Thought Prompting (CoT)? Examples and Benefits
Chain-of-thought (CoT) prompting is a prompt engineering technique that aims to improve language models' performance on tasks requiring logic, calculation and decision-making by structuring the input prompt in a way that mimics human reasoning. [...] Guiding the model to articulate these intermediate steps has shown promising results. "Chain-of-Thought Prompting Elicits Reasoning in Large Language Models" is a seminal paper by the Google Brain -- now DeepMind -- research team, presented at the 2022 NeurIPS conference. The researchers found that CoT prompting outperformed standard prompting techniques on a range of arithmetic, commonsense and symbolic reasoning benchmarks. How does CoT prompting work? ---------------------------- [...] Understanding regulations. Legal experts can use chain-of-thought prompting to direct an LLM to explain new or existing regulations -- such as laws surrounding data privacy -- and how those apply to their organization. This approach can also apply to writing new internal policies.
- What is chain-of-thought prompting? - Be Informed
Chain-of-Thought (CoT) prompting is a method that encourages AI to “think out loud,” describing its reasoning process step-by-step. This approach ensures that the final output reflects a logical reasoning path, enhancing reliability. In recent years, CoT prompting has gained traction as a solution to the unpredictable variations in AI’s responses and its limitations in handling complex, multi-domain problems. ### Structured vs Unstructured CoT Prompting [...] As businesses and industries increasingly integrate Artificial Intelligence into their operations, understanding and leveraging Chain-of-Thought prompting is crucial. Structured CoT prompting provides the transparency, accuracy, and traceability required for AI to become a trustworthy and reliable partner in decision-making, while unstructured CoT remains a valuable tool for fostering creativity and innovation but lacks the ability to handle complex, high-stakes scenarios effectively.
- What is Chain of Thought Prompting? - LibAnswers - Business Library
Chain of Thought Prompting (CoT)is a technique in artificial intelligence that enhances the reasoning capabilities of large language models (LLMs). It involves breaking down complex tasks into a sequence of logical steps towards a final resolution . This method simulates human-like reasoning processes by providing a structured mechanism for problem-solving . [...] Overall, Chain of Thought Prompting represents a significant advancement in the field of AI, enabling language models to perform at a higher level of cognitive function akin to human problem-solving . Source: Conversation with Copilot, 7/24/2024 1. Chain-of-Thought Prompting | Prompt Engineering Guide 1. [[2201.11903] Chain-of-Thought Prompting Elicits Reasoning in Large ...]( 1. What is Chain of Thoughts (CoT)? | IBM [...] The technique was introduced in a paper by Wei et al. (2022), where they demonstrated that generating a chain of thought, which includes a series of intermediate reasoning steps, significantly improves the performance of LLMs on a range of arithmetic, commonsense, and symbolic reasoning tasks .
- Language: Train of thought vs. chain of thought. Which is older and ...
Train of Thought: This phrase is older and has been in use since at least the 19th century. It refers to a series of connected ideas or a continuous flow of thinking. It is widely recognized and commonly used in both spoken and written English. Chain of Thought: This term is relatively newer and less common than "train of thought." It suggests a more linear and linked sequence of thoughts, often implying a more structured or logical Continue Reading [...] Chain of Thought: This term is relatively newer and less common than "train of thought." It suggests a more linear and linked sequence of thoughts, often implying a more structured or logical progression. Its usage has increased in recent years, particularly in academic and analytical contexts. [...] "Train of thought" is often used when discussing a person's flow of ideas, especially in relation to distractions or interruptions. For example, “I lost my train of thought when the phone rang.” "Chain of thought" is used more in contexts where the logical connections between ideas are being analyzed or described, such as in cognitive psychology or philosophy. For example, “His chain of thought led him to an unexpected conclusion.”