Katrin Frisch (Ombuds Committee for Research Integrity in Germany), “Maintaining Integrity when Using AI in Your Research”

Abstract: Since the release of ChatGPT and other generative AI applications, research institutions as well as various stakeholders such as research funders and publishers have been discussing how the use of AI in research should be dealt with from the perspective of research integrity. While a consensus on some matters was quickly reached, other issues are still being debated. This has led to a rather heterogeneous policy landscape, which will likely remain in flux due to the fast-paced nature of AI. Additionally, a recent survey by Wiley found that nearly two-thirds of respondents indicated that the lack of clear guidelines prevents them from using generative AI to the extent that they would like.

In this presentation, participants will get an overview of the status quo of the current debate on AI and research integrity. The presentation has a practical bend covering how to disclose different use cases of AI in publications and what to keep in mind when it comes to working with AI in research, for example regarding peer review, writing grants or using AI-generated images. The presentation will also raise awareness about further issues that are still under debate such as recommendations on which tools to use, questions of access and ethical aspects.

The talk is part of the 2025 Berlin Summer School on Artificial Intelligence and Society, jointly organized by the Berlin Institute for the Foundations of Learning and Data (BIFOLD), the Weizenbaum Institute for the Networked Society, and Science of Intelligence (SCIoI), will focus on a timely and critical topic: “Open Science and AI – Shaping the Future of Responsible Research.”

Taking place from 15 to 18 September 2025, this year’s Summer School invites early-career researchers and advanced Master’s students to explore how open data, open collaboration, and responsible practices can help build more transparent, fair, and trustworthy AI systems.

Image created with DALL-E by Maria Ott.