LLMC’s research includes:

• The application of LLMs within linguistics as ‘research assistants’. This includes questions such as: what benefits do LLMs have for linguists? And how can LLMs be used in support of linguistic research?
• The link between LLMs and language learning. LLMs learn languages from vast amounts of data and demonstrate astonishing linguistic competence. Can insights from human language learning help LLMs learn languages more quickly and using 
• fewer examples? Conversely, can insights derived from LLMs inform our understanding of human linguistic ability?
• The application of LLMs in second language learning, which focuses on analysing the opportunities and challenges presented by LLMs in education and the necessary adjustments in the classroom.
• The use of linguistic insights and analyses to examine and influence the behaviour of LLMs. LLMs can be encouraged to think more carefully about their responses through various linguistic instructions. What does this require? How can we teach LLMs the principles of careful and effective human communication? And how can we detect and modify problematic behaviour in LLMs by analysing their outputs?
• The necessary skills needed for effective communication with LLMs. How can users maintain a critical approach when interacting with LLMs? And how can students and researchers use LLMs responsibly without adverse consequences for authorship?
• Teaching LLMs human values and standards. How do we instil human values and standards in LLMs in a responsible, bias-free manner? Furthermore, how do we assess whether LLMs adhere to those values and standards?

In addition, the LLMC is welcomes assignments and tasks related to a wide range of LLM applications involving linguistics. These include fine-tuning language models for specific language variants or target groups, as well as developing applications. The LLMC collaborates on these projects with organisations such as TNO, stakeholders from government and business, local software companies and the ISSC, which is Leiden University’s central IT innovation, knowledge and support centre.