Lesson 7: Chain-of-Thought Reasoning
Teach AI to think step-by-step for better accuracy on complex problems

Calculate and explain STS risk score

🧠 Chain-of-Thought Techniques

1. Zero-Shot CoT (Simplest)

Just add: "Let's think step by step."

2. Structured CoT (More Control)

Provide specific steps: "Think through this step-by-step: 1. Identify key factors, 2. Analyze each factor, 3. Draw conclusion"

3. Few-Shot CoT (Best Results)

Show examples with reasoning: "Example: Problem → Step 1 → Step 2 → Answer"

When to Use CoT:

  • Math calculations and risk scores
  • Medical diagnosis and decision-making
  • Multi-step analysis or planning
  • When you need to verify AI's logic

Healthcare Tip: Always use CoT for clinical decision support. Being able to see and verify the reasoning steps is critical for patient safety.