As artificial intelligence (AI) becomes more integrated into education, research, and everyday life, it's important to understand both its advantages and its limitations, especially when using AI tools in academic settings.
| BENEFITS OF AI IN EDUCATION AND RESEARCH | LIMITATIONS AND CAUTIONS |
|---|---|
| Idea Generation and Brainstorming AI tools can help jumpstart thinking by suggesting research topics, outlining arguments, or generating questions for further exploration. |
Accuracy and “Hallucinations” AI can generate incorrect or misleading information that sounds plausible. These “hallucinations” may include fake citations, made-up facts, or flawed reasoning. |
| Summarizing and Organizing Information Generative AI can summarize articles, simplify complex concepts, and help structure essays or reports. |
Bias in Output AI tools reflect the biases in their training data, which can result in outputs that are unintentionally biased, offensive, or discriminatory. |
| Language and Writing Support AI-powered writing tools can assist with grammar, clarity, and phrasing—helpful for both native and non-native English speakers. |
Privacy and Data Concerns Input entered into AI systems may be stored or used for training, raising concerns about sharing personal, sensitive, or proprietary information. |
| Efficiency and Productivity Automating routine tasks (e.g., transcriptions, coding help, data sorting) can save time and allow users to focus on deeper analysis. |
Lack of Source Transparency AI-generated content often lacks proper citations, making it difficult to verify claims or trace the original sources. |
| Accessibility Support AI can enhance accessibility for users with disabilities by converting text to speech, creating transcripts, or offering translation assistance. |
Overreliance and Academic Integrity Risks Using AI without proper citation or relying on it to complete assignments may violate academic honesty policies. |
AI can be a powerful support tool in your academic journey, but it shouldn’t replace critical thinking, proper research methods, or ethical practices. Use AI as a complement to, not a substitute for, your own work and judgment.