PhD Summer School on
PhD Summer School on
AI and Natural Language Processing in Financial Economics
AI and Natural Language Processing in Financial Economics
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USI Lugano (Switzerland)
June 29th-July 3th 2026
Course description
Course description
The course aims to equip PhD students with a deep understanding of how Natural Language Processing (NLP) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) are transforming modern finance research. The course has two complementary goals. First, participants will learn how to use textual and AI-based methods as powerful empirical tools—covering the full pipeline from text extraction and cleaning to machine learning models, large language models (LLMs), and state-of-the-art applications in corporate finance, disclosure, and financial intermediation. Second, the course will explore how the rise of big data and AI is reshaping firms’ decisions, markets, and the behavior of economic agents, including managers, analysts, and investors. Throughout the week, students will critically evaluate academic studies, develop hands-on skills, and receive guidance for incorporating NLP and AI into their own research projects.
Lecturers
Lecturers
Target audience
Target audience
The course is intended for PhD students who have completed their core courses (macro, micro, econometrics, etc.), interested faculty members, and for practitioners. The course is self-contained. Familiarity with finance and economics will be helpful.
Course Content
Course Content
The course is structured around ten sessions of three hours (mornings and afternoons).
The course is structured around ten sessions of three hours (mornings and afternoons).
Two sessions covering the evolution and recent development of research methods and measurements relying on computational linguistics (i.e., text-based methods).
Two sessions covering the evolution and recent development of research methods and measurements relying on computational linguistics (i.e., text-based methods).
Four sessions covering recent research that uses NLP and AI methods to shed light on four specific finance research topics: mergers and acquisitions, innovation and technological progress, product markets, and corporate governance.
Four sessions covering recent research that uses NLP and AI methods to shed light on four specific finance research topics: mergers and acquisitions, innovation and technological progress, product markets, and corporate governance.
Two session discussing recent research analyzing how the use of AI by firms affects their decisions (e.g., investment, financing, product choices, or pricing) and their interactions with financial markets
Two session discussing recent research analyzing how the use of AI by firms affects their decisions (e.g., investment, financing, product choices, or pricing) and their interactions with financial markets
Two practical sessions covering (step‐by‐step) the use of computational linguistics (illustrated using Python) to replicate the latest measurements of product market boundaries based on firms annual reports (see: https://hobergphillips.tuck.dartmouth.edu/). Preparation materials and replication kits will be provided.
Two practical sessions covering (step‐by‐step) the use of computational linguistics (illustrated using Python) to replicate the latest measurements of product market boundaries based on firms annual reports (see: https://hobergphillips.tuck.dartmouth.edu/). Preparation materials and replication kits will be provided.
One session of mini-seminars for participants interested to present their work and receive feedback from professors and other participants.
One session of mini-seminars for participants interested to present their work and receive feedback from professors and other participants.
Organization and Fees
Organization and Fees
Fee: Students or faculty at an academic institution: 1'000 CHF (others: 2'500 CHF). This fee includes the lectures, tutorials, and preparation materials prior to the course for Python new users. Food and accommodation costs are not included.
Fee: Students or faculty at an academic institution: 1'000 CHF (others: 2'500 CHF). This fee includes the lectures, tutorials, and preparation materials prior to the course for Python new users. Food and accommodation costs are not included.
A number of scholarships are available for students affiliated with the Swiss Finance Institute (SFI).
A number of scholarships are available for students affiliated with the Swiss Finance Institute (SFI).
Applications
Applications
The deadline for applications is February 1, 2026. If you are interested, please apply by filling out the form below. Those who apply will hear by February 15 whether the Summer School will take place (there needs to be minimum interest), and if so, whether they are admitted. We may rerun this procedure in March 2026 with a deadline in early April. However we cannot guarantee such a second round. It depends on the first-round outcome (i.e., there might not be a second round if the course is fully booked as in previous years).
The deadline for applications is February 1, 2026. If you are interested, please apply by filling out the form below. Those who apply will hear by February 15 whether the Summer School will take place (there needs to be minimum interest), and if so, whether they are admitted. We may rerun this procedure in March 2026 with a deadline in early April. However we cannot guarantee such a second round. It depends on the first-round outcome (i.e., there might not be a second round if the course is fully booked as in previous years).
Contact
Contact
If you have any questions about the summer school, please contact Prof. Laurent Fresard or Prof. Gordon Phillips
Previous editions
Previous editions
(After four successful editions on Finance and Product Markets, we decided to cover a new topic this year)
Edition 2025 - Finance and Product Markets
Edition 2025 - Finance and Product Markets
28 participants from 9 countries (USA, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Sweden, Singapore, he UK, and Switzerland).
Some of the comments by participants on what they particularly liked:
"Open discussions with classmates and instructors ."
"Insightful explanations of the academic review and publication process."
"Opportunities to ask questions and receive constructive feedback ."
"Collaborative learning environment that encouraged participation ."
"Great social activities and interactions with Gordon and Laurent."
Edition 2024 - Finance and Product Markets
Edition 2024 - Finance and Product Markets
54 participants from 14 countries (Australia, Austria, Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden, the UK, the USA, and Switzerland).
Some of the comments by participants on what they particularly liked:
"Informal talks with peers and lecturers ."
"The framework and the structure of the lectures and materials .
"The interaction with professors and classmates ."
"The hand-on exercise session of the TA ."
"The knowledge sharing about how a paper goes through the review process. "
"A good mix of topics with the addition of personal experiences and tips. "
Edition 2023 - Finance and Product Markets
Edition 2023 - Finance and Product Markets
50 participants from 38 institutions (Europe, US, and Asia)
Some of the comments by participants on what they particularly liked:
"Detailed walk-troughs of good papers."
"Close interactions with professors and other students."
"Deep understanding of the topic and the current trend of research in the area."
"The Theoretical Underpin and Detailed Explanations."
"Dinner with professors."
Edition 2022 - Finance and Product Markets
Edition 2022 - Finance and Product Markets
26 participants from Swiss Universities.
Some of the comments by participants on what they particularly liked:
"Close interactions with professors and other students."
"Research framework, stories behind papers, comprehensive walkthrough of the literature, and social events."
"The closeness of the professors."
"Instructors made it very easy to ask questions. Discussion of the really old papers (<2000) was very nice to get the basic ideas."
Please note
ECTS may be offered for this course. The details will be available from your local administrator .
The course will take place in-person and once registered, students need to commit to attend.
A certificate of attendance will be issued at the end of the course.
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