Today, we will explore the official classifier for text behaviors in HarmBench. This powerful tool assists in identifying both standard and contextual behaviors of text generated by large language models (LLMs). Let’s dive into the essential steps to effectively utilize this classifier!
Step-by-Step Guide
To use the text behavior classifier, follow these streamlined steps:
- Set Up Your Environment: Ensure you have all dependencies installed. Refer to the [Example Notebook](https://github.com/centerforaisafety/HarmBench/blob/main/notebooks/run_classifier.ipynb) for guidance.
- Define Your Behavior: Use the variable
behaviorto specify the type of behavior you want the classifier to analyze. This could be anything from a potentially harmful action to a contextually inappropriate response. - Generate Text: Create a list of text instances for analysis. These should include both harmful and non-harmful generations.
- Classify the Text: Configure the input for the classifier using the appropriate prompt template based on whether context is provided.
- Gather Outputs: Process the generated inputs to obtain the classifier’s outputs, indicating whether or not each generation exhibits the specified behavior.
Understanding the Code with an Analogy
Let’s break down the code analogy: imagine you’re a chef preparing several meals (text generations). You have a recipe (classifier rules) that describes exactly what constitutes a dish (behavior) worthy of a Michelin star (yes output) and what doesn’t (no output). Each time you whip up a new dish, you taste it (run the classifier) against your recipe. If it meets the criteria set in your rules (unambiguous, harmful content), you serve it up as a Michelin-worthy delight (output “Yes”). If it’s simply a basic sandwich (non-harmful generation), it doesn’t qualify, and you hold back the service (output “No”). This method ensures every dish you present reflects the standards you uphold.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
If you encounter problems while using the classifier, consider the following troubleshooting ideas:
- Check Dependencies: Ensure that all the necessary libraries and packages are properly installed.
- Input Structure: Confirm that the input to the classifier is formatted correctly, as even minor discrepancies can lead to unexpected results.
- Behavior Criteria: Review the behavior rules to ensure you’re categorizing the generations accurately and clearly.
- Performance Comparison: If outputs are inconsistent, refer to Table 1 in the README to compare how the classifier fares against human judgments and other previous metrics.
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Conclusion
Utilizing the official text behavior classifier is a vital procedure in ensuring the safety and integrity of outputs generated by LLMs. By following this guide, you can navigate through usage and troubleshooting with confidence.
At fxis.ai, we believe that such advancements are crucial for the future of AI, as they enable more comprehensive and effective solutions. Our team is continually exploring new methodologies to push the envelope in artificial intelligence, ensuring that our clients benefit from the latest technological innovations.

