Researchers are keen to experiment with using generative AI tools such as the advanced chatbot ChatGPT to help with their work, according to a survey of Nature readers. But they are also concerned about the potential for errors and false information.
Of 672 readers who responded to an online questionnaire, around 80% have used ChatGPT or a similar AI tool at least once. More than one-fifth use such tools regularly — 8% said they use them every day, and 14% several times per week. Around 38% of respondents know of other researchers who use the tools for research or teaching.
Survey participants shared their thoughts on the potential of generative AI, and concerns about its use, through open-ended answers. Some predicted that the tools would have the biggest beneficial impacts on research by helping with tasks that can be boring, onerous or repetitive, such as crunching numbers or analysing large data sets; writing and debugging code; and conducting literature searches. “It’s a good tool to do the basics so you can concentrate on ‘higher thinking’ or customization of the AI-created content,” says Jessica Niewint-Gori, a researcher at INDIRE, the Italian ministry of education’s institute for educational research and innovation in Florence.1
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References
- Owens, B. (2023). How Nature readers are using ChatGPT. Nature, 615(7950), 20. https://doi.org/10.1038/d41586-023-00500-8
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