Doing Research with AI? Opportunities and Ethical Challenges in Academia

How is AI changing the way you do research—and what responsibilities come with it?
This event invites early-career researchers to explore the potential of AI in academic work, from practical tools to pressing ethical questions.

Online Event

Wednesday, February 4, 2026
10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.

Target Group

Postdocs, doctoral students, students and other interested early-career researchers

Language

English

Location

Online

Lecture Series

An event in the series "Better safe than sorry - How early-career researchers overcome risks and avoid pitfalls when submitting applications and performing research"

Eine Wissenschaftlerin und ein Wissenschaftler arbeiten hinter einer Glasfassade und mischen Chemikalien mit Großgeräten.

Content

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming the landscape of academic research. From data analysis and literature review to hypothesis generation and automated writing support, AI technologies are becoming increasingly integrated into the research process. This growing influence opens up unprecedented opportunities for enhancing efficiency, broadening access to knowledge, and fostering innovation across disciplines.

At the same time, the use of AI in academia raises important ethical questions. Issues such as data privacy, transparency, authorship, accountability, and the potential for bias in AI-driven research tools demand critical reflection. As researchers, especially those at the beginning of their academic careers, it is essential to understand not only the possibilities AI offers but also the responsibilities that come with its use.

This event aims to provide early-career researchers with a forum to explore both the practical applications and the ethical implications of AI in research.

Speakers

Dr. Thomas Metcalf is a senior researcher at the Sustainable AI Lab at the Institute for Science and Ethics at the University of Bonn and an associate professor of philosophy at Spring Hill College in the United States.

Dr. Elena Trunz, Department of Visual Computing, Institute of Computer Science II, at the University of Bonn

Certificate Compliance

If you participate in at least six events of the series, you have the possibility to apply for a Certificate Compliance. Both German and English language events from different semesters can be credited for the certificate. For issuing the certificate, please contact the BGZ by e-mail.