In the rapidly evolving technology sector, large language models (LLMs) have emerged as powerful AI tools for various businesses, including veterinary practices. LLMs can assist veterinary businesses in numerous ways, from enhancing client communication and education to streamlining administrative tasks. Still, the technology is far from perfect, and selecting the LLM that best fits your needs and learning to use it can require trial and error. 

The Rumpus Writing and Editing team recognizes that AI is the future of our profession, and rather than fighting, we’ve tentatively embraced its power and potential. Here, we explain an LLM, how to use it to your advantage, and which of the top performers your practice should try. 

What are large language models?

Large language models are AI systems focused on an industry subset called natural language processing (NLP). LLMs can be trained using vast amounts of text data to understand, contextualize, and generate human-like language. LLMs have endless possibilities because they can perform so many functions, including answering questions, drafting emails, generating content, programming, problem-solving, generating images, and writing in various styles. 

However, LLMs also have downsides. Because they are trained with human data input, they can develop biases and knowledge gaps. They’re also designed to “think” for themselves by calculating predictions, but those predictions can sometimes produce false information accompanied by a remarkably authoritative and confident tone. We’ve seen LLMs invent fake expert quotes, refer to sources that don’t exist, and fail to answer basic knowledge questions. Using LLMs with caution and understanding their limitations is crucial.

AI is increasingly being incorporated into veterinary software, mobile applications, client engagement platforms, diagnostic analyzers, and dictation and medical record tools. However, we’ll focus on the open-access LLMs designed for the general public and businesses.

Which large language models are best?

The companies responsible for LLMs frequently release new versions with drastically different capabilities. As such, the “best” LLM varies at any given time and depends on your preferences and usage. The best way to familiarize yourself with each platform’s capabilities is to sign up for a free account, feed the AI prompts, and see what you get. Adjusting prompts can also provide considerably different results, so don’t be afraid to experiment.

If you love a free version, there’s a good chance you’ll enjoy the paid version more. If you hate the free version, the paid one probably isn’t much better. Importantly, if one LLM fails you now, don’t count out the next version available a few months later.

As of July 2024, we recommend you try these the top contenders:

  1. OpenAI’s GPT-4
  2. Google Gemini
  3. Microsoft Bing Co-Pilot
  4. Anthropic’s Claude 3.5
  5. Meta’s Llama 3

Ways to use large language models in veterinary practice

This bears repeating: LLMs have limitations. As such, they should be used as tools to streamline daily tasks, but the tasks cannot be accomplished without human labor, and any LLM creation should be edited and fact-checked by a knowledgeable human. That said, LLMs are best used in veterinary practices for these tasks:

  • Client communication — Drafting client emails, creating summaries, updating discharge templates, crafting client handouts, and writing scripts for client education videos
  • Content creation — Creating social media calendars, generating blog post outlines or rough drafts, and writing social media posts
  • Administrative efficiency — Analyzing data and reports, creating or revising protocols or training programs, building schedules, and distilling large documents or meeting transcripts into main points and action steps

LLMs and other AI technologies are the future of veterinary medicine and many other professions. Embracing AI now can help your practice keep up with technological advances, enhance client communication, and improve practice efficiency—a crucial benefit for overworked and understaffed veterinary teams. 

Still, AI isn’t the be-all, end-all solution to veterinary practice woes. If you’re looking for reliable copywriting and content creation in your veterinary practice, contact Rumpus Writing and Editing. Our 100% human team has decades of combined veterinary knowledge and can meet your practice’s unique needs.