INFORMATICS, DATA SCIENCE & AI
SAEM PULSE | NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2024
Harnessing the Power of Artificial Intelligence for Research Support in Academic Medicine
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By Laura Walker, MD, MBA; Hannah Mishkin, MD, MS; Neha Raukar, MD, MS; Wan-Tsu Wendy Chang, MD; Lindsay MacConaghy, MD; and Wendy Sun, MD, on behalf of the SAEM Academy for Women in Academic Emergency Medicine The use of large language models (LLMs) in academic research presents a transformative potential to enhance various aspects of the research process. These models can aid in tasks ranging from brainstorming to refining specific research aims, supporting researchers in more efficient ways. However, to harness the full potential of LLMs, it is crucial to understand when and how to use them responsibly and ethically.
Ethical Use of LLMs
Knowing when and how to ethically leverage LLMs is essential to maximize their benefits. While LLMs can be helpful tools for gathering background information or refining research ideas, researchers must be mindful of their limitations. One primary concern when using LLMs is their potential to generate inaccurate or fabricated details, often referred to as "hallucinations."
These hallucinations can distort facts, misrepresent data, or provide false references, which is particularly dangerous in academic research. When using LLMs for writing, researchers must pay careful attention to quality control and ensure compliance with journal standards. Many academic journals now require disclosure regarding the use of LLMs in manuscript preparation, particularly when LLMs