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. A Theory of LLM Information Susceptibility

    Mar 24, 2026Zhuo-Yang Song, Hua Xing ZhuLarge Language Model-Guided OptimizationLanguage Model Scaling

  2. BeamAgent: LLM-Aided MIMO Beamforming with Decoupled Intent Parsing and Alternating Optimization for Joint Site Selection and Precoding

    Mar 19, 2026Xiucheng Wang, Yue Zhang, Nan ChengWireless Resource AllocationLarge Language Model-Guided Optimization

  3. POET: Power-Oriented Evolutionary Tuning for LLM-Based RTL PPA Optimization

    Mar 19, 2026Heng Ping, Peiyu Zhang, Zhenkun Wang +5Large Language Model-Guided OptimizationEvolutionary Optimization

  4. FormulaCode: Evaluating Agentic Optimization on Large Codebases

    Mar 16, 2026Atharva Sehgal, James Hou, Akanksha Sarkar +4Coding Agent BenchmarksCode Optimization

  5. POLCA: Stochastic Generative Optimization with LLM

    Mar 16, 2026Xuanfei Ren, Allen Nie, Tengyang Xie +1Large Language Model-Guided OptimizationStochastic Optimization

  6. CausalEvolve: Towards Open-Ended Discovery with Causal Scratchpad

    Mar 15, 2026Yongqiang Chen, Chenxi Liu, Zhenhao Chen +3AI Agents for Scientific DiscoveryLarge Language Model-Guided Scientific Discovery

  7. SemRep: Generative Code Representation Learning with Code Transformations

    Mar 13, 2026Weichen Li, Jiamin Song, Bogdan Alexandru Stoica +4Code OptimizationLarge Language Model-Guided Optimization

  8. PrefPO: Pairwise Preference Prompt Optimization

    Mar 13, 2026Rahul Singhal, Pradyumna Tambwekar, Karime MaamariAutomatic Prompt OptimizationPrompt Optimization

  9. Deciphering Scientific Reasoning Steps from Outcome Data for Molecule Optimization

    Mar 13, 2026Zequn Liu, Kehan Wu, Shufang Xie +5Scientific Reasoning in Language ModelsMolecular Optimization

  10. KernelFoundry: Hardware-aware evolutionary GPU kernel optimization

    Mar 12, 2026Nina Wiedemann, Quentin Leboutet, Michael Paulitsch +2GPU Kernel OptimizationGPU Acceleration

  11. Resource-Efficient Iterative LLM-Based NAS with Feedback Memory

    Mar 12, 2026Xiaojie Gu, Dmitry Ignatov, Radu TimofteLarge Language Model-Guided NASNeural Architecture Search

  12. Towards Cold-Start Drafting and Continual Refining: A Value-Driven Memory Approach with Application to NPU Kernel Synthesis

    Mar 11, 2026Yujie Zheng, Zhuo Li, Shengtao Zhang +8Memory-Augmented Language Model AgentsRL for Code Generation

  13. SimulCost: A Cost-Aware Benchmark and Toolkit for Automating Physics Simulations with LLMs

    Mar 11, 2026Yadi Cao, Sicheng Lai, Jiahe Huang +12AI Agent BenchmarksLarge Language Model-Guided Optimization

  14. Utility Function is All You Need: LLM-based Congestion Control

    Mar 11, 2026Neta Rozen-Schiff, Liron Schiff, Stefan SchmidLarge Language Model-Guided OptimizationLLM Code Generation

  15. From Phase Prediction to Phase Design: A ReAct Agent Framework for High-Entropy Alloy Discovery

    Mar 10, 2026Iman Peivaste, Salim BelouettarInverse DesignMaterials Science

  16. KernelClaw: A Multi-Agent Framework for GPU Kernel Optimization with Dual-Memory Mechanisms

    Mar 10, 2026Qitong Sun, Jun Han, Tianlin Li +6GPU Kernel OptimizationGPU Kernel Generation

  17. AutoAdapt: An Automated Domain Adaptation Framework for LLMs

    Mar 9, 2026Sidharth Sinha, Anson Bastos, Xuchao Zhang +3Domain Adaptation for LLMsDomain Adaptation

  18. Large Language Model for Discrete Optimization Problems: Evaluation and Step-by-step Reasoning

    Mar 8, 2026Tianhao Qian, Guilin Qi, Z. Y. Wu +3LLM EvaluationLarge Language Model-Guided Optimization

  19. CDEoH: Category-Driven Automatic Algorithm Design With Large Language Models

    Mar 8, 2026Yu-Nian Wang, Shen-Huan Lyu, Ning Chen +3Automated Heuristic DesignAutomated Algorithm Discovery

  20. Making LLMs Optimize Multi-Scenario CUDA Kernels Like Experts

    Mar 7, 2026Yuxuan Han, Meng-Hao Guo, Zhengning Liu +2Sparse Matrix MultiplicationGPU Kernel Optimization

  21. Large Language Model-Driven Full-Component Evolution of Adaptive Large Neighborhood Search

    Mar 7, 2026Shaohua Yu, Tianyu Chen, Linyan Liu +1Automated Heuristic DesignLarge Neighborhood Search

  22. Reference-guided Policy Optimization for Molecular Optimization via LLM Reasoning

    Mar 6, 2026Xuan Li, Zhanke Zhou, Zongze Li +4Molecular OptimizationLarge Language Model-Guided Optimization

  23. Escaping the Hydrolysis Trap: An Agentic Workflow for Inverse Design of Durable Photocatalytic Covalent Organic Frameworks

    Mar 5, 2026Iman Peivaste, Nicolas D. Boscher, Ahmed Makradi +1Materials ScienceInverse Design

  24. ReVEL: Multi-Turn Reflective LLM-Guided Heuristic Evolution via Structured Performance Feedback

    Mar 5, 2026Cuong Van Duc, Minh Nguyen Dinh Tuan, Tam Vu Duc +4Automated Heuristic DesignLarge Language Model-Guided Optimization

  25. Type-Aware Retrieval-Augmented Generation with Dependency Closure for Solver-Executable Industrial Optimization Modeling

    Mar 3, 2026Y. Zhong, R. Huang, M. Wang +4Natural Language to Optimization ModelingRetrieval-Augmented Generation