Date/Time
Date(s) - 04/06/2024 - 05/06/2024 11:00 am - 4:00 pm
Audience:
This workshop aims to demystify the concepts of Natural Language Processing (NLP) and Large Language Models (LLMs), exploring their transformative potential in the business domain. Participants will gain a comprehensive understanding of how these technologies work, including their development and underlying principles. This workshop will offer actionable knowledge on utilising these models and tools to address actual business issues, encompassing areas such as accounting and finance. This is an opportunity for academic and research staff to bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application, empowering them to lead in the rapidly evolving landscape of these new technologies.
Course Details
Following the rapid rise and widespread adoption of LLMs such as GPT, there has been a notable increase in both the theoretical and practical application of these models within various business areas, including accounting, finance, marketing, and management. This workshop offers a historical overview of the evolution and application of NLP within these domains, transitioning from basic dictionary-based approaches to more sophisticated models such as GPT. Additionally, the course includes hands-on practical examples using Python to enhance learning and application. The workshop is scheduled to last for two days and will feature eight hours of lectures.
The main topics to be covered include:
- Introduction to NLP and Its Business Applications: An overview of NLP, including its definition, scope, and how it is being applied in various business sectors, with a focus on accounting and finance.
- Historical Evolution of NLP and Text Analytics: Tracing the development of NLP from simple dictionary-based models to sophisticated machine learning and deep learning approaches, highlighting key milestones and how they have impacted business practices.
- Fundamentals of LLMs: Explaining what LLMs are, how they are constructed, and their foundational principles, including a discussion on models like BERT and GPT.
- NLP in Accounting and Finance: Specific case studies and examples illustrating how NLP is used in accounting and finance.
- Text Mining and Sentiment/Emotion Analysis: Techniques for extracting useful information from financial documents, news, and social media, and how they can inform business decisions and financial analyses.
- Data Sources for NLP: Reviewing various open-source and proprietary text-based databases, how to access and manage them, and their applications in business analytics.
- Future Trends and Innovations in NLP and LLMs: Investigating recent trends in NLP with a primary emphasis on business studies.
Dr Eghbal Rahimikia (University of Manchester)
https://research.manchester.ac.uk/en/persons/eghbal.rahimikia
Eghbal obtained his undergraduate degree in Economics from the University of Tehran (first-class honours), his master’s degree in Industrial Engineering from the Iran University of Science and Technology (distinction) and his PhD degree in Finance from the Alliance Manchester Business School (AMBS), the University of Manchester. He is currently an Assistant Professor in Financial Technology (FinTech) at the Alliance Manchester Business School, working on the theory and application of machine learning (ML) and natural language processing (NLP) in Finance.
Please only register if you can fully commit to participating on both days.
Register here: https://forms.office.com/e/UW0wY9eDmt