Large Language Models (LLMs), Language, and Use 29.-30.4.2026

The Helsinki Collegium for Advanced Studies, Fabianinkatu 24, 00100 Helsinki.

Large language models (LLMs) and conversational agents have rapidly become an integral part of everyday life. Popular systems like ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini are widely used for tasks such as writing, translation, summarization, and programming and are increasingly integrated into business, education, scientific research, and public administration.

LLMs raise important philosophical questions about their linguistic capacities while also offering a fresh perspective on traditional problems about human language and its use. This workshop will explore these issues with a focus on LLMs as scientific models of language, word articulation, meaningful use and reference, and speech acts.

Website: tapahtumat.helsinki.fi/en-FI/page/69d7504d29140f000750e26f

Program:

Wednesday, 29.4.

9:45–11:15 Alex Grzankowski (King’s College London): Selection, Transparency, and the Ordinary World

11:30–13:00 Jumbly Grindrod (University of Reading): Sparse Auto-Encoders and Holism about Large Language Models

15:00–16:30 Gabe Dupre (UC Davis): Deep Models, Shallow Explanations

Thursday, 30.04.

9:45–11:15 Indrek Reiland (HCAS): Does ChatGPT Speak English?

11:30–13:00 Jessica Pepp (Uppsala University): Chatbot Reference to and Perception of the World

15:00–16:30 Emanuel Viebahn (University of Hamburg): LLM Storytelling