Large Language Model-Guided Optimization

Overview

This field studies how language models can use learned patterns and natural-language understanding to help search for better algorithms, programs, designs, prompts, and agent workflows. Common approaches combine model-generated proposals with evolutionary search, Bayesian optimization, reinforcement learning, or classical solvers, then use execution, simulator, or benchmark feedback to select and repair candidates. Applications range from combinatorial and scientific optimization to GPU kernels, compiler code, engineering design, and tuning language-model systems. A central open tension is that language models can suggest useful structures but may be unreliable, costly, or prone to overfitting, so robust evaluation, constraint checks, and comparisons with numerical methods remain essential.

Latest papers

CardsList

613 papers101 papers in the last four weeks, up 60% on the four weeks before. 0.6% of all new papers.

  1. Co-evolving Agent Architectures and Interpretable Reasoning for Automated Optimization

    Apr 20, 2026Jiahao Huang, Peilan Xu, Xiaoya Nan +1Evolutionary OptimizationLarge Language Model-Guided Optimization

  2. Compiling Deterministic Structure into SLM Harnesses

    Apr 19, 2026Zan Kai Chong, Hiroyuki Ohsaki, Bryan NgLarge Language Model-Guided OptimizationSmall Language Models

  3. LLM-Guided Strategy Synthesis for Scalable Equality Saturation

    Apr 19, 2026Chenyun Yin, Youwei Xiao, Yuze Luo +2Compiler OptimizationLarge Language Model-Guided Optimization

  4. RosettaSearch: Multi-Objective Inference-Time Search for Protein Sequence Design

    Apr 19, 2026Meghana Kshirsagar, Allen Nie, Ching-An Cheng +5Inference-Time SearchLarge Language Model-Guided Optimization

  5. AdaExplore: Failure-Driven Adaptation and Diversity-Preserving Search for Efficient Kernel Generation

    Apr 17, 2026Weihua Du, Jingming Zhuo, Yixin Dong +9Test-Time AdaptationGPU Kernel Optimization

  6. Bilevel Optimization of Agent Skills via Monte Carlo Tree Search

    Apr 17, 2026Chenyi Huang, Haoting Zhang, Jingxu Xu +2Large Language Model-Guided OptimizationLLM Agent Skill Learning

  7. Xe-Forge: Multi-Stage LLM-Powered Kernel Optimization for Intel GPU

    Apr 16, 2026Marcin Spoczynski, Daniel Fleischer, Moshe Berchansky +5GPU Kernel OptimizationGPU Acceleration

  8. Prompt Optimization Is a Coin Flip: Diagnosing When It Helps in Compound AI Systems

    Apr 16, 2026Xing Zhang, Guanghui Wang, Yanwei Cui +4Prompt SensitivityLarge Language Model-Guided Optimization

  9. TOPCELL: Topology Optimization of Standard Cell via LLMs

    Apr 15, 2026Zhan Song, Yu-Tung Liu, Chen Chen +6Topology OptimizationElectronic Design Automation

  10. Text2Model: Modeling Copilots for Text-to-Model Translation

    Apr 14, 2026Serdar Kadioglu, Karthik Uppuluri, Akash SingirikondaNatural Language to Optimization ModelingLarge Language Model-Guided Optimization

  11. LLM-Guided Prompt Evolution for Password Guessing

    Apr 14, 2026Vladimir A. Mazin, Mikhail A. Zorin, Dmitrii S. Korzh +3Automatic Prompt OptimizationLLMs for Cybersecurity

  12. Agent-GWO: Collaborative Agents for Dynamic Prompt Optimization in Large Language Models

    Apr 14, 2026Xudong Wang, Chaoning Zhang, Chenghao Li +10Automatic Prompt OptimizationLLM Prompting

  13. Scaffold-Conditioned Preference Triplets for Controllable Molecular Optimization with Large Language Models

    Apr 14, 2026Yi Xiong, Liang Xiong, Xiaohong Ji +4Molecular OptimizationLarge Language Model-Guided Optimization

  14. Record-Remix-Replay: Hierarchical GPU Kernel Optimization using Evolutionary Search

    Apr 13, 2026Daniel Nichols, Konstantinos Parasyris, Caetano Melone +3GPU Kernel OptimizationEvolutionary Optimization

  15. TurboEvolve: Towards Fast and Robust LLM-Driven Program Evolution

    Apr 12, 2026Yang Yang, Zining Zhong, Jindong Li +5Large Language Model-Guided OptimizationEvolutionary Optimization

  16. Structured Progressive Knowledge Activation for LLM-Driven Neural Architecture Search

    Apr 10, 2026Zhen Liu, Yuhan Liu, Jinjun Wang +3Large Language Model-Guided NASLarge Language Model-Guided Optimization

  17. Adaptive Simulation Experiment for LLM Policy Optimization

    Apr 9, 2026Mingjie Hu, Siyang Gao, Jian-qiang Hu +1Active Experimental DesignPolicy Optimization

  18. Large Language Models as Optimizers: A Survey of Direct vs. Tool-Augmented Approaches and Their Performance Frontiers

    Apr 9, 2026Roko Peran, Luka Hobor, Mihael Kovac +1Large Language Model-Guided OptimizationNatural Language to Optimization Modeling

  19. PyVRP+^+: LLM-Driven Metacognitive Heuristic Evolution for Hybrid Genetic Search in Vehicle Routing Problems

    Apr 9, 2026Manuj Malik, Jianan Zhou, Shashank Reddy Chirra +1Automated Heuristic DesignLarge Language Model-Guided Optimization

  20. LLM-Guided Dynamic Action Spaces for Synthesizable Molecular Optimization

    Apr 9, 2026Tao Li, Kaiyuan Hou, Tuan Vinh +4Molecular OptimizationLarge Language Model-Guided Optimization

  21. TurboAgent: An LLM-Driven Autonomous Multi-Agent Framework for Turbomachinery Aerodynamic Design

    Apr 8, 2026Juan Du, Yueteng Wu, Pan Zhao +4Large Language Model-Guided OptimizationMulti-Agent LLM Systems

  22. Adaptive Prompt Structure Factorization: A Framework for Self-Discovering and Optimizing Compositional Prompt Programs

    Apr 8, 2026Haoyue Liu, Zhichao Wang, Yongxin Guo +2LLM Input OptimizationLLM Prompting

  23. AI-Driven Research for Databases

    Apr 8, 2026Audrey Cheng, Harald Ng, Aaron Kabcenell +5Automated Algorithm DiscoveryLarge Language Model-Guided Optimization