AI in Academia: Part I: Legal and Ethical Issues Surrounding the Use of AI in Academia

REGISTER: AI in Academia I

Target group: Doctoral researchers and early-career academics, University of Graz

Language: English

Description: The rise of AI-powered systems has transformed our world at a remarkable pace. But does this mean that everything has become easier, better and faster — including academic research and writing?
 

Not necessarily.
 

Superficial answers, factual errors and hallucinations, concerns about the protection of sensitive research data — these are experiences many doctoral researchers and academics report after their first encounters with ChatGPT, Claude & Co.
Others, out of fear of these risks, prefer to avoid AI altogether.
This two-day AI-Writing Retreat is designed as a valuable space for both: structured input on the most important AI-related topics in academic research, combined with hands-on practice sessions in which participants can try things out directly and bring their individual questions and uncertainties to an expert.
 

In the AI-Writing Retreat, doctoral researchers and early-career academics learn to use generative AI in a reflective, critical, and ethically sound way — without ever relinquishing responsibility for their own scholarly work. The workshop is open to participants with little or no prior experience with AI in an academic context, as well as to those who already work with AI regularly and want to do so more deliberately and effectively.
 

Program Part I: Legal and Ethical Issues Surrounding the Use of AI in Academia (Ideal for: Beginner Level | Intermediate Level | Advanced Level)

This session lays the groundwork for a reflective and ethically responsible approach to AI in research. Together, we examine the legal frameworks and key problem areas surrounding the use of AI in academia, and explore where the boundaries of academic integrity and scholarly responsibility lie. We also look at how AI use can be meaningfully documented throughout the research and writing process — and correctly and transparently disclosed in academic work.

Part II: Data Security and Control in the Age of AI (Oct 15, 2-6 p.m.)
Part III: Understanding How Generative AI Works - and Writing Really Good Prompts (Oct 16, 9 a.m.-1 p.m.)
Part IV: AI as a Tool not a Replacement for Thinking: Working with AI in Academic Research (Oct 16, 2-6 p.m.)

Trainer: Dr. Claudia Macho has been working as a writing instructor and coach in the academic field for 12 years. In her role, she focuses especially on supporting doctoral students and early-career researchers in developing and refining their academic writing skills. She teaches at various universities in Austria and abroad and shares her expertise through practice-oriented courses, workshops and coaching. (For more information, visit www.claudiamacho.at)