Can generative AI facilitate the research process? It’s complicated

Abstract

Generative artificial intelligence (AI) describes algorithms (such as ChatGPT) that can be used to create new content, including audio, code, images, text, simulations, and videos. Large Language Models are specialized AI models trained on enormous volumes of text data and created to comprehend and produce text-based content.

I am hardly the first to ask the question of whether these tools can facilitate the research process. A proposed Scholarly AI taxonomy “outlines seven key roles that AI could potentially play in a scholarly publishing workflow.” UNESCO has suggested possible uses of ChatGPT in the research process including for research design, data collection, data analysis, and writing up. Indeed, an industry has already sprung up with enterprising researchers selling their knowledge in this area with tutorials such as “Become an efficient academic writer with AI apps.”

So, for what it is worth, here’s my take on where generative AI can assist (or not) the research process. The only prediction I am making is this will be out of date by publication.