Language Model Embeddings Can Be Sufficient for Bayesian Optimization
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Abstract (arXiv)
Bayesian Optimization is ubiquitous in experimental design and black-box optimization for improving search efficiency. However, most existing approaches rely on regression models which are limited to fixed search spaces and structured, tabular input features. This paper explores the use of LLM embeddings over string inputs for in-context regression in Bayesian Optimization. Our results show that representing inputs as strings enables general-purpose regression across diverse domains, including synthetic, combinatorial, and hyperparameter optimization. Furthermore, our approach achieves optimization performance comparable to state-of-the-art Gaussian Process-based methods such as Google Vizier, and demonstrates potential for broader and more flexible applications.
Key facts. Cited by 8 papers in the map (data through 14 Oct 2026). Builds on 41 of its 50 references that are in the map. First posted on arXiv 14 Oct 2024.
Builds on
41 of 50 references.
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29 more
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Built on by
Citing papers per year: 2024: 1; 2025: 5; 2026: 2.
8 papers.
- 2024Understanding LLM Embeddings for Regressioncited by 19
- 2025Large language models as uncertainty-calibrated optimizers for experimental discoverycited by 13
- 2025Decoding-based Regressioncited by 12
- 2025Towards Universal Offline Black-Box Optimization via Learning Language Model Embeddingscited by 7
- 2025Reasoning-Intensive Regressioncited by 2
- 2026A Language-Guided Bayesian Optimization for Efficient LoRA Hyperparameter Searchcited by 2
- 2025Beyond Token-level Supervision: Unlocking the Potential of Decoding-based Regression via Reinforcement Learningcited by 1
- 2026Agentic High-Dimensional Bayesian Optimization with Hypothesis- and Evidence-Guided Searchcited by 0
- 2026Agentic High-Dimensional Bayesian Optimization with Hypothesis- and Evidence-Guided Search28 Sep 2026
- 2026A Language-Guided Bayesian Optimization for Efficient LoRA Hyperparameter Search19 Jan 2026
- 2025Beyond Token-level Supervision: Unlocking the Potential of Decoding-based Regression via Reinforcement Learning6 Dec 2025
- 2025Reasoning-Intensive Regression29 Aug 2025
- 2025Towards Universal Offline Black-Box Optimization via Learning Language Model Embeddings8 Jun 2025
- 2025Large language models as uncertainty-calibrated optimizers for experimental discovery8 Apr 2025
- 2025Decoding-based Regression31 Jan 2025
- 2024Understanding LLM Embeddings for Regression22 Nov 2024