As recent advances in AI and large language models continue to reshape language research, LLU 2026 aims to foster dialogue between AI scientists and linguists on research and applications related to language learning, representation, and understanding. Jointly organized by the Institute of Linguistics, Academia Sinica (ILAS) and the National Institute for Japanese Language and Linguistics (NINJAL), LLU 2026 welcomes submissions presenting ideas, approaches, and findings from linguistic, cognitive, and AI perspectives on topics including, but not limited to, the following:
1. The concept of “understanding a language”: What does it mean to learn and use a language? How to evaluate humans’ and LLMs' performance in understanding a language? 2. Human language acquisition and AI learning: Comparing how children and machines acquire/learn languages. Is human language development the unique way to learn to use and understand language? How can AI technology help human learn and understand languages? 3. Cognitive and neural foundations of language and AI: How do language and intelligence emerge from neural mechanisms versus AI models? 4. Computational models of linguistic representation: How do LLMs represent meaning and sound structure? How do linguists and LLMs study the gaps and connections between symbolic, distributional, and conceptual representation?
Important Dates:
New submission deadline: June 30, 2026
Notification of acceptance: July 31, 2026
Early registration: August 15, 2026
Final version due: August 31, 2026
Conference dates: November 11-12, 2026
