Generative AI for Academics

Carrigan outlines ways for academics to use LLMs in their work – including, but not limited to, their writing. I especially appreciate Carrigan’s argument that the way to go is to find ways to think with LLMs rather than using LLMs as a substitute for thought. (...) Among the uses for LLMs Carrigan explores are "rubberducking" (explaining your ideas to an LLM to test and polish your ability to explain them, just as you might talk your ideas out to a friend, or your cat, or a rubber duck); If you’re currently anti-LLM, challenge yourself by reading Carrigan. -- Stephen B. Heard * https://bit.ly/40XWAlI *
As a PhD student researching the impact of GenAI on university students (while also a new professor), it felt like this book was written for me. Carrigan immediately identified the scariest part of GenAI - its ability to dismantle the trusting relationships between faculty and students. By (at least partially) embracing AI in higher education, Carrigan shows we can simplify our workload to produce better quality work and enhance our means of thinking and engaging. This thought-provoking work increased my optimism about our future with GenAI. Highly recommended for all educators! -- Five-star review from Illysa * Amazon customer review at https://bit.ly/42PhUMT *
This book offers a very thorough and thoughtful consideration of the use of generative AI, particularly ChatGPT and Claude, in academia. It successfully balances intellectually rigorous debate with practical tips and guidance. It will be especially valuable for those unfamiliar with using these tools, while even more experienced users are likely to pick up some new ideas and benefit from engaging with the broader ethical and practical discussions. I particularly appreciated the emphasis on treating these programmes as conversation partners rather than replacements for our own intellectual labour, and the encouragement to use them critically and alongside other forms of academic work. However, significant ethical questions remain, and as the author notes, once you start using AI, it can become hard to imagine working without it. Therefore, I offer a word of caution - think hard before diving in and use this book to help you to assess the benefits and costs, alongside further research.    -- Dr Emma Craddock