Efficient and Green Large Language Models for Software Engineering: Vision and the Road Ahead

Large Language Models (LLMs) have recently shown remarkable capabilities in various software engineering tasks, spurring the rapid development of the Large Language Models for Software Engineering (LLM4SE) area. However, limited attention has been paid to crafting efficient LLM4SE solutions that demand minimal time and memory resources, as well as green LLM4SE solutions that reduce energy consumption and carbon emissions. This 2030 Software Engineering position paper aims to redirect the focus of the research community towards the efficiency and greenness of LLM4SE, while also sharing potential research directions to achieve this goal. It commences with a brief overview of the significance of LLM4SE and highlights the need for efficient and green LLM4SE solutions. Subsequently, the paper presents a vision for a future where efficient and green LLM4SE revolutionizes the software engineering tool landscape, benefiting various stakeholders, including industry, individual practitioners, and society. The paper then delineates a roadmap for future research, outlining specific research paths and potential solutions for the research community to pursue. While not intended to be a definitive guide, the paper aims to inspire further progress, with the ultimate goal of establishing efficient and green LLM4SE as a central element in the future of software engineering.