Ladyman, James and Nefdt, Ryan M. (2026) Are AI language models scientific models of language? [Preprint]

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Abstract

There has been a recent surge of philosophical interest in AI large language models (LLMs) and their relevance for the understanding of human language. In this article we take the perspective of the philosophy of science on modelling in
general to consider whether LLMs are (good) models of language. We establish that LLMs are scientific models, and that they are good scientific models of certain
aspects of human language, in so far as they can capture the modal structure of natural language. We argue that they can do this even if they do not reveal (all) its causal structure, nomological structure or mechanisms.

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Item Type:	Preprint
Creators:	Creators Email ORCID Ladyman, James Nefdt, Ryan M. ryan.nefdt@uct.ac.za 0000-0002-2118-9960
Keywords:	AI, LLMs, Language, Models, Modelling, Modal Structure
Subjects:	General Issues > Data Specific Sciences > Artificial Intelligence Specific Sciences > Artificial Intelligence > Machine Learning General Issues > Models and Idealization
Depositing User:	James Ladyman
Date Deposited:	22 Jan 2026 13:38
Last Modified:	22 Jan 2026 13:38
Item ID:	27973
Subjects:	General Issues > Data Specific Sciences > Artificial Intelligence Specific Sciences > Artificial Intelligence > Machine Learning General Issues > Models and Idealization
Date:	22 January 2026
URI:	https://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/id/eprint/27973

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