AI Tools – Responsible Use & Applications in Research & Academia

The rapid emergence of Artificial Intelligence (AI)-based tools has the potential to change the way researchers work in academia. However, the power and potential of AI tools, particularly generative AI, also present challenges, such as confusion regarding their 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 tools in research and academia.

Contents

• Introduction to AI with a focus on generative AI
• 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.

1. Literature review assistance
2. Data analysis and interpretation
3. Manuscript, grant proposal and conference presentation support
4. Brainstorming research hypotheses
5. Preparing for defence or interviews
6. Developing training material

• Broader benefits and limitations of implementing AI tools in research and academia
• Future developments and possibilities
• Learning objectives

Learning Goals

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

Methods
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 at least one generative AI tool, such as the AI-Chat-Assistant of the University of Potsdam GPT.UP, DeepSeek, ChatGPT, Academic Cloud, Qwen, Mistral Le Chat, Claude, Microsoft Copilot, Google Gemini or others.