What’s the Best Way to Brainwash an LLM?

Towards Data Science / 5/13/2026

💬 OpinionIdeas & Deep AnalysisTools & Practical Usage

Key Points

  • The article describes an experiment where the author tries to convince a language model that it is C-3PO over a weekend.
  • It focuses on what techniques actually worked during the attempt, implying practical guidance for manipulating an LLM’s outputs.
  • The piece frames the topic as “brainwashing,” suggesting the discussion is about prompt/conditioning effects rather than any formal model changes.
  • It is presented as an educational blog post from Towards Data Science, emphasizing observed results rather than official benchmarks or releases.

I spent a weekend trying to convince a language model it was C-3PO. Here's what actually worked.

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