Artificial Intelligence Tools: Responsible Use and Applications in Research and Academia

The rapid emergence of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools has the potential to change the way researchers work in academia. However, the power and potential of AI tools like ChatGPT/GPT-4 also present challenges, such as confusion regarding responsible and ethical use and a lack of proper training for integrating them into research workflows. Addressing these challenges is crucial to ensure that researchers can fully explore the potential of AI while maintaining high ethical standards.

This workshop provides a hands-on learning experience with a focus on a wider variety of AI tools, their ethical implications and their practical applications. The aim is to facilitate the responsible and efficient use of AI-based tools in research and academia.

Included topics

• Introduction to AI with a focus on generative AI (e.g. ChatGPT/GPT-4)
• Ethical considerations and responsible use (e.g. data privacy, address biases, best practices)
• Guidelines from major journals and institutions on using AI-Tools in research and academia
• Crafting effective prompts for generative AI
• Practical applications of AI tools in research and academia, e.g.
• Literature review assistance
• Data analysis and interpretation
• Manuscript, grant proposal and conference presentation support
• Brainstorming research hypotheses
• Preparing for defence or interviews
• Developing training material
• Benefits and limitations of implementing AI tools in research and academia
• Future developments and possibilities

Learning objectives

At the end of the workshop, participants will be able to:

• Understand the importance of using AI in research and academia and assess the benefits and risks involved
• Craft effective prompts for their research tasks
• Develop strategies to integrate AI tools into their research workflow
• Stay informed about and adapt to new developments in the field of AI

Teaching method

The workshop combines trainer presentations and group exercises, providing a balanced learning experience. At the end of the workshop, participants will receive a list of generative AI prompts useful in research and academia. There will be practice sessions during the workshop for which participants are required to have a computer, an internet connection and access to AI tools, particularly ChatGPT/GPT-4. If participants do not have an account with ChatGPT/GPT-4, alternatives like Microsoft Bing or Google Gemini could also be used.

Workshop target group

The workshop is useful for doctoral and post-doctoral researchers of Natural, Life, Social Sciences and Engineering.