ChatGPT: How are you changing science?

Since the publication of ChatGPT in November 2022, there has been a debate about the consequences of the development of generative AI for science. When can and should AI be used, what skills should scientists have to use it and what about its availability at institutions? We will discuss these and other questions in this Weizenbaum Forum.

On the one hand, generative AI is associated with a multitude of opportunities for supporting and optimising research processes. On the other hand, however, there are fears regarding scientific quality and integrity, which are aimed at the originality and innovativeness of scientific knowledge production and the validity and authenticity of research results. For which processes - from literature research and data analysis to the evaluation of scientific proposals and publications - can and should generative AI be used? And what effects will this have on the science system as a whole?

There is also the question of the corresponding skills that must be available in order to be able to use generative AI adequately at all. This includes not only skills in the use of the tools, but also knowledge of how these tools actually work in order to have an insight into the potential uses, but also the potential sources of error and risks.

Last but not least, this also raises questions about the availability of the relevant systems for scientists at scientific organisations. What is acquired under what conditions? What new inequalities could arise here? What new costs will result from licence fees? And what possibilities for the development of open variants and utilisation options should be supported and pursued politically?

The Weizenbaum Forum will discuss these key aspects with three recognised experts.

Guests
Amrei Bahr (University of Stuttgart)
Benjamin Paaßen (University of Bielefeld)
Clara N. Bersch (Max Planck School of Cognition at the MPIB)

Moderation
Anne K. Krüger (Research Group Leader Weizenbaum Institute)