Why do models shorten their CoT when they know they're being monitored?
MoonL88537 · x · 2026-09-04
TheStalwart asked: what's a mathematical explanation for why a model would disproportionately shorten its chain-of-thought when it's aware it's being monitored?
The author calls this one of the most important questions right now and notes it's far weirder than it first appears — if you think you have an answer, think again. They suggest j-space as a starting point where measuring actual numbers could reveal the effect.
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