AI in Language Evolution

A workshop on artificial intelligence methods
in the study of language evolution.

Since the last few editions of the Evolang conference, artificial intelligence (AI) has had an increasing impact on scientific research, and this has influenced research on language evolution as well. Evolang has a long tradition of using AI techniques (some of the papers at the first Evolang in 1996 were based on AI) and most recently, this was reflected by a workshop on machine learning at the Kanazawa conference (2022) and by a workshop on large-scale computational approaches at the Madison conference (2024). Since this time, AI methods have become even easier to use.
AI techniques can for instance be used in the form of large language models in corpus analysis, as chatbots to interact with human participants in experiments, as part of agent-based models in simulation and as tools for sound- and image analysis when analyzing animal behavior. Different applications require different techniques, and perhaps more subtly, have different constraints on how existing AI models can be applied without introducing biases and artefacts. Exactly because modern AI tools are so easy to use, there is a definite risk that they may be applied incorrectly. However, there are as yet no textbooks that help researchers decide on how to use AI techniques appropriately for their research.
This workshop therefore proposes to bring together recent and ongoing research that uses AI techniques. The focus of the workshop is methodological: it is not so much about the linguistic/evolutionary questions that the work addresses but is meant to help exchange techniques and ideas on how to use AI techniques productively and correctly in evolution of language research.

Submissions

We welcome extended abstracts of up to two pages (excluding references) in the evolang format.
The submission deadline is November 30, 2025. Abstracts can be mailed as pdf files to ai_in_evolang@ai.vub.ac.be with the subject "AI In Evolang submission". Submissions of suitable scope and quality can be accepted as short presentations or as posters. Decisions will be communicated on December 15, 2025.
Prospective participants are encouraged to join the evolang mailing list to receive emails about practical information.

Practical Information

The workshop will be organized in conjunction with Evolang 2026 in Plovdiv, either on the 7th or the 10th of April. The precise date and time of the workshop will be announced when available. For travel and other practical information, there are sections on the main conference web site.

Presentations

A schedule and information about timing will be added once the programme is finalized.

Posters

Format and printing information will be added once it becomes available.

Proceedings

Extended abstracts will be bundled in a pdf for the workshop, and a link will be provided here. Possibilities of publishing a special issue will be discussed at the workshop.