Information retrieval, matching and generation, large language models, query construction and prompt engineering techniques, retrieval-augmented generation, collaborative topic creation and fine-tuning, evaluating information retrieval and generation

Open University

The course is organized in the autumn semester in the second teaching period as online studies with scheduled online lectures.

Faculty of Information Technology and Communication Sciences

English

After completing the course, the student: <ul><li>Understands how information retrieval and information generation work, focusing on Large Language Models (LLM) and how they change these processes. This includes an overview of key technical aspects and how they enable effective information retrieval and generation</li><li>Can explain the distinction between the traditional ways of retrieval-driven information interaction and new generative text production, and how generation is augmented using retrieval.</li><li>Is skilled at creating effective queries for traditional IR systems and crafting precise prompts for LLMs, with a deep understanding of how these inputs influence AI outputs. </li><li>has systematic and theoretical knowledge how to prompt AI in a way that delivers useful and accurate outputs</li><li>understands the fundamentals of evaluating information retrieval and generation methods. This includes how to measure if the results are accurate and fair, learning about different ways to test them, and knowing how to make sense of the results </li><li>has enhanced problem-solving and critical thinking skills related to new ways of retrieving and creating information </li></ul>

The course has no formal prerequisites, but success in the course requires general digital skills.

<h3>Lectures</h3><h4>null</h4>24.10.2025 10.00 - 24.10.2025 13.00 07.11.2025 10.00 - 07.11.2025 13.00 21.11.2025 10.00 - 21.11.2025 13.00 05.12.2025 10.00 - 05.12.2025 13.00 09.01.2026 10.00 - 09.01.2026 13.00 16.01.2026 10.00 - 16.01.2026 13.00 30.01.2026 10.00 - 30.01.2026 13.00 13.02.2026 10.00 - 13.02.2026 13.00

TUNI Moodle: VIM.IT.220-2025-2026-1 Information Search and Generation with Large Language Models (Lectures)

Online lectures, autumn 2025

The course is organized in the autumn semester in the second teaching period as online studies with scheduled online lectures.<a href="https://www.tuni.fi/en/study-with-us/open-higher-education-studies/open-university" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">More information about studying at the Open University.</a>

Online studies

<h5>Lectures</h5>Teaching consists of lectures and organized small-group discussions. This is a remote course with scheduled teaching sessions, mostly held live. I am considering broadcasting some sessions from a classroom setting. Lecture recordings will be made available a few days after each session. Lectures are not mandatory, and small-group discussion sessions are organized separately. Course completion is based on the assignments, which are given bi-weekly. The course lasts for two periods. Small-group discussions are organized electronically via Teams.

Technology and Natural Sciences

Intermediate studies

Laboratories for information retrieval and content generation

VIM.IT.220 Information Search and Generation with Large Language Models, 5 cr

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