AI in academia: Embracing our Ozempic moment
The academic world is experiencing its own ‘Ozempic moment’ with the advent of artificial intelligence (AI) tools. Just as Ozempic (semaglutide) has revolutionised the treatment of obesity and diabetes, AI is transforming how we conduct educate, research, and synthesise knowledge. Both innovations have sparked excitement, controversy, and a degree of moral panic, but their effectiveness is undeniable.
Ozempic has demonstrated unprecedented efficacy in helping patients lose weight and manage type 2 diabetes. Similarly, AI tools like ChatGPT have shown remarkable capabilities in accelerating quality output, from generating literature reviews to drafting grant proposals. In an era of reduced resources, where academics are pressured to do more with less, AI emerges as a potential solution to ‘starve off the hunger pangs’ of budget cuts and increased workloads.
However, both Ozempic and AI face accusations of ‘cheating’ – bypassing the hard work of diet and exercise or the intellectual struggle of academic research. Critics worry about potential side effects: for Ozempic, gastrointestinal issues; for AI, a decline in critical thinking skills. Ethical considerations, from equitable access to these powerful tools to questions of academic integrity and the nature of original thought.
The parallels extend to cost and accessibility issues. Premium AI models and Ozempic alike come with hefty price tags, potentially creating a divide between the haves and have-nots. This raises important questions about equity and the potential for these innovations to exacerbate existing disparities.
While there are valid concerns, it’s important not to succumb to moral panic. The fear that AI will replace human educators and researchers or that Ozempic represents an ‘unnatural’ approach to weight loss overlooks the nuanced reality of these tools. AI, like Ozempic, is not a panacea, but a powerful tool that, when used responsibly, can enhance human capabilities rather than replace them.
It’s important to approach both these interventions with a balanced perspective. Acknowledge their transformative potential while critically examining their implications. However, we need to consciously resist the very human urge to dismiss or fear these advancements based on exaggerated concerns or a misplaced nostalgia for traditional methods.
While this discussion focuses on academia, it’s important to note that the parallels are generalisable to many other professions. From law and medicine to journalism and creative industries, AI is posing similar challenges and opportunities across various fields. The questions of effectiveness, ethics, accessibility, and long-term impact are relevant far beyond the ivory tower.
The AI, like Ozempic, is here to stay. We need to shape its integration thoughtfully and ethically and embrace a new era of enhanced productivity and innovation across a wide spectrum of professional endeavours.
Amanda Wilson is Professor of Nursing in the School of Nursing and Midwifery at UTS. She has worked in many health care environments, and has decades of experience in clinical and public health research.
