Ever feel overwhelmed by how quickly Artificial Intelligence is changing the ways we access information? You don’t follow the latest advancement for a few days and it feels like you are already playing catch-up. The future we once thought to be far off is now just a few steps away and simultaneously blending with our present. In this post we will cover how Science Communication is no exception when it comes to how AI has transformed information transportation. Being an omnipresent habitat that seeks to promote scientific progress, science communication is co-evolving alongside machine learning. This isn’t just about using AI for science communication; it’s about AI and science communication interconnectedly shaping each other’s future.
Writing of Research Articles
Writing and understanding complex ideas in simple terms is easier that it has ever been. AI Natural Language Processing (NLP) systems such as OpenAI’s ChatGPT, are trained on massive amounts of databases from internet and other sources to generate coherent texts.
(https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/08989621.2023.2168535).
This asset has been widely used now for scientific writing. Many researchers find it helpful in facilitating the writing process.
Huang J and Tan M reviewed how AI can expedite the writing process. Here are the key attributes of AI in science publications:
⦁ Time-saving: Researchers use AI to generate drafts for their articles.
⦁ Data Management: AI can analyze and review the material making it easier to include more sources in a study.
⦁ Quality Improvement: AI has the ability to help detect inconsistencies in writing.
⦁ Language Assistance: Since most of the available literature is in the English language, AI supports non-native English speakers in their writing.
The tools to precisely detect whether AI has been used in the writing of scientific publications are still not fully developed.
However, a Stanford HAI study found evidence of AI-generated content in computer science papers (17.5%) and peer reviews (16.9%).
Instead of fearing, resisting and blaming AI’s role in research, many researchers see an opportunity for collaboration. They advocate for ethical guidelines which are extremely necessary for addressing plagiarism, copyright concerns and ensuring accuracy, responsibility and ownership of AI-generated content. (https://mededu.jmir.org/2023/1/e47049)
Enhancing Visual Communication
Imagine trying to understand painfully difficult topics just with technical jargon. Forget dry texts, Science Communication is undergoing a revolution! Powered by AI, Science Communication’s transformation is observed not only in the writing world but things are shaking up to visuals as well. AI has now become a visual storyteller too. Some tools include: Midjourney, Stable Diffusion, DALL-E. Here are some of the applications used thus far:
⦁ Illustrations and Infographics: Complex data concepts can be broken down into digestible visuals.
⦁ Animations and Simulations: Scientific processes can come to life through animations.
⦁ 3D Modeling: 3D models allow for researchers and educators to observe scientific details from all angles.
A Case Study in Visuals: AlphaFold and the Protein Puzzle
As a Molecular Biologist myself, I have been particularly impressed and impacted by DeepMind’s AlphaFold project . AI here was used to predict protein structures that previously were a rather difficult and expensive process. This advancement has benefits beyond the lab, providing invaluable knowledge not just to scientists but educators and students as well.
Through the creation of visuals, AI is making science communication more accessible and engaging. However, just like guidelines are being settled for text content creating, they should be acknowledged when generating visuals as well. While AI offers tremendous potential, it’s important to push towards an ethical use where accuracy is ensured.
The Power of Haromoni AI: Engaging Young Minds with Climate Change
This whole explosion of AI implementation in science communication is incredibly exciting and I got to experience it firsthand! As the final project for a Science Communication Project, I have personally benefited from the integration of AI to facilitate the communication process with our target audience. In our project a storytelling approach was utilized to increase critical thinking in the topic of climate change for children aged 9-12 years old. (https://emilyaskswhy.com/)
Here’s why I believe Harmoni AI was a game-changer:
⦁ Bidirectional Communication: Science communication isn’t a one-way street. It’s about fostering dialogue and participation. Harmoni AI facilitated this by allowing children to ask questions, turning them from passive learners to active participants.
⦁ Personalized Learning Journey: Every child learns at their own pace. The Chatbot adapts its responses to the child’s understanding, creating a personalized learning experience for each user.
⦁ Sparking Curiosity: Engaging visuals are great, but interactivity is key! As the main goal we wanted for the children to enhance critical thinking through question making and the Harmoni Chatbot makes it particularly exciting for the audience to ask more question.
⦁ Data-Driven Insights: As the creators of the webpage, we can access valuable data from Harmoni AI. This data reveals what topics captured the children’s interest most. This will help in tailoring the content for the next episodes.
No matter how engaging a chatbot might be, its true value lies in delivering accurate scientific information. Responsible science communication requires careful attention to the training process of chatbots.
Following I will include examples on Harmoni AI responses in our webpage:
The world is changing each day as we know it and AI is rapidly transforming science communication, opening doors for more engaging and accessible learning experiences. What are your thoughts on this exciting future? Don’t hesitate to reach out to share your ideas.
Meriona Mezani
Molecular Biologist
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