CIVS & CS Staff Held Seminar on AI in Research

On February 27, CIVS staff members Ty Okosun and Nick Walla, joined by Computer Science Professor Yang Ni, hosted a seminar in the CIVS Theater to discuss the role of AI in research. The session included an open discussion among students and staff on several key topics surrounding AI use in academic work. Speakers provided a brief overview of how AI has developed in recent years and examined practical applications such as using AI tools for literature reviews and drafting written material. The conversation also addressed the importance of defining clear boundaries between appropriate and improper use of AI in research. Presenters demonstrated how AI systems can sometimes take the simplest path when generating answers, leading to inaccurate or oversimplified summaries, particularly when users lack sufficient background knowledge to evaluate the results. Participants emphasized that AI is most effective when used by researchers who are already well-versed in their subject areas.