Bite-sized

Day 1: Thursday, 12 September

Artificial intelligence (AI) is projected to revolutionize society, increasing what we can collectively achieve and altering how we work. This transformation is particularly significant in fields like quantitative social science and epidemiology, where secondary data analysis is crucial. AI's ability to automate tasks such as conducting literature reviews, analyzing datasets, writing, and editing manuscripts marks a pivotal change in the scientific workflow. This session will confront the stark reality: AI is not just an auxiliary tool but a transformative force. Current large language models demonstrate advanced abilities—they understand complex scientific and medical concepts, engage in conversational interactions, and proficiently generate and execute analytical code. As we look to the future, the potential for specialized or general AI to automate entire tasks currently performed by humans is immense. Our Provocative Panel will explore both the challenges and the exciting opportunities AI presents. We will discuss how AI can currently be used to enhance productivity and delve into the medium and long-term possibilities. While addressing the potential rise of 'papermills'—a surge in low-quality, AI-generated research—we'll also focus on how AI can liberate scientists from repetitive tasks, allowing more time and energy to be devoted to creative and high-impact scientific endeavors. This discussion will extend to the broader implications for the scientific community: How can researchers ensure they remain relevant? What training should future scientists focus on to thrive in an AI-augmented landscape?