AI changes how scientists work and how students learn, UVA researcher says

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (WVIR) - Researchers at the University of Virginia and schools across the country are using artificial intelligence to make finding relevant information easier.

Co-Director of AI Research at UVA Henry Kautz says the technology has been a significant development for the scientific community.

“I think that’s been a big win that literally every scientist I know was complaining about how difficult it was to keep up with the literature before AI came along,” Kautz said.

Kautz says AI can sift through millions of research papers to find what may be useful for a scholar. He added that AI has given researchers a “master programmer” who can complete jobs in days instead of months. AI is also helping design experiments in fields like chemistry.

In the classroom, however, the impact is not all positive. AI is making it easier for students to skip out on learning and homework.

“I know that anything I send home, the students are going to use AI,” Kautz said.

Kautz says he’s most concerned with the impacts on students in primary and early secondary education, where younger students may not know better than to use AI to complete their work. That means teachers need to adapt quickly.

“We need teachers to really be aware of what AI can and what it can do and how to use it effectively,” Kautz said.

He thinks there should be heavy regulations on what students can use AI for. Until then, he will have to inspire his students to do what is best for themselves on their own.

“I tell the students that if they don’t do the work themselves, they can use AI for tutorials, you know, for asking it questions. If they just feed it off to the AI and get back the answers, they’ll turn in great-looking homework, but then when it comes to the final exam, they’ll be lost at sea,” Kautz said.

Do you have a story idea? Send us your news tip here.