The paper investigates how large language models decide whether to call external tools before the call is made, a step that has been largely overlooked in tool‑safety research. Using factorial interventions on input requests, the authors find that neutralizing the requested operation significantly reduces harmful admissions, and that a linear direction derived from this contrast predicts admission across most models. They also show that training models to refuse in plain text can lower unsafe admissions, indicating a partial link between written refusal and tool‑admission decisions.
By Aditya Nawal, Manit Baser, Mohan Gurusamy
arXiv:2609.00578v1 Announce Type: new
Abstract: Large Language Models (LLMs) can solve complex problems, but their misuse in high-risk domains can lead to severe consequences. Model providers therefo...
By Rui Yang, Yang Hong, Yichao Xu, Zhengyu Liu, Ziyang Li, Yinzhi Cao
Large Language Models (LLMs) can solve complex problems, but their misuse in high-risk domains can lead to severe consequences. Model providers therefore restrict assistance for potentially harmful re...
arXiv:2606. 00566v1 Announce Type: new Abstract: As language models take on agentic roles that span calling external APIs, reading tool outputs, and acting on instructions embedded in third-party content, their attack surface expands well beyond what users type.
By Mohammed Sameer Syed (University of Arizona), Rozhin Yasaei (University of Arizona)
arXiv:2609.13579v1 Announce Type: new
Abstract: Safety research often focuses on model-generated harms, but users may also direct hostility, coercion, and adversarial pressure at models. Understandin...
By Fanqi Zeng, Sadid A. Hasan, Chaocheng He
arXiv:2606. 02423v1 Announce Type: cross Abstract: Large language models (LLMs) can serve as helpful assistants, yet they can equally function as harm amplifiers that enable malicious users to achieve harmful outcomes beyond their capabilities through extended interactions.
By Ruohao Guo, Wei Xu, Alan Ritter