GenAI: PhD research (proposal) and AI

Are you (co-)writing a PhD research proposal and would you like to use AI tools in the process? Maybe you want to have your proposal checked for language errors, rewritten, translated... or you want to generate graphics and/or images. You may also want to incorporate AI into the research you will participate in as a doctoral candidate in another way, for example as a research method. Is that allowed? And what should you definitely take into consideration?

Position of your (co-)supervisor

Good cooperation and understanding with your (co-)supervisor is important for the smooth course of your research. It can help if you are (more or less) on the same page regarding the use of AI in your PhD research (proposal), so that this does not lead to disagreements later on. So ask what your (co-)supervisor's position is regarding the use of AI in writing a research proposal or conducting research. Does he/she co-sponsor the use or incorporation of AI in the research proposal/research, whether linguistically, substantively, methodologically or focus-wise? Should questions ever be raised, for example at the examination board, about your use of AI, it is helpful that your (co-)supervisor is (1) fully informed and (2) personally supportive of the use.

Position of your DBC members and your examination board

The members of the doctoral advisory committee (DBC) are responsible for your support and follow-up as a doctoral student throughout the study and research period. Therefore, it is relevant to know what their position is regarding the use of AI in research so that there are no conflicting or unmet expectations. DBC members who do not belong to UGent are best to inform you at the beginning of your research about the university's position regarding the use of GenAI in research.

The position of the members of the examination board regarding the use of AI in research could potentially impact their assessment of your dissertation. Members of the examination board who do not belong to UGent should therefore be informed in a timely manner of the university's position regarding the use of GenAI in research.

Position of the research funding organisation

If you write or co-write your own proposal for doctoral research, it is essential to follow the instructions of the research funding organisation. Not following these instructions or failing to meet these expectations may result in your research proposal being declared inadmissible or being rejected (and, therefore, not receiving the necessary funding). So be sure to check for specific instructions or guidelines regarding the use of AI associated with the research funding for which you want to apply. If necessary, pay extra attention to the ethical aspects of technologies that may affect human health, safety or rights and freedoms.

Position of your research institution

If you wish to conduct your research at Ghent University, you should also follow the guidelines of this research institution. UGent is committed to the ethical and responsible use of AI in research and education. As a research institution, UGent subscribes to the European Code of Conduct for Scientific Integrity (also known as the ALLEA code) and also follows the other Belgian and European guidelines and legislation. Be sure to keep in mind the potential ethical implications and challenges that may be associated with the usage of AI.

If you will be conducting the research together with other universities or research institutions, then you should also take into account the point of view of these institutions and come to an agreement concerning the use of (Gen)AI. In addition, it is also best to discuss the use of (Gen)AI with the other researchers who are (or will be) involved in the project.

Want more information about the responsible use of AI at UGent (in education and research)? Then consult the following pages (more information at the end of this Research Tip):

Intranet: Artificial Intelligence and Research
Research Tip: GenAI: responsible use in research
Research Tip: GDPR: What should I take into account when developing or using AI?
Research Tip: GenAI: Overview of National and European legislation and guidelines
Research Tip: GenAI: Writing a scientific article
Research Tip: GenAI: Writing a (postdoctoral) research proposal
Research Tip: GenAI: PhD research (proposal) and AI
Education Tip: Generative AI in Ghent University Education: Impact and Approach
Experimentation Guidelines: Experimentation Guidelines for Generative AI Tools (See: Section I)
Learning Path: Generative AI for teachers: Concepts, Creations and Classroom Practice (also relevant for researchers!)
Courses and info session: please consult the UTOP-platform
Info for Ghent University students: Generative AI in Education at Ghent University

National and European legislation and guidelines

In addition to the above factors, you should also consider national and international legislation and guidelines if you as a researcher want to use AI for or incorporate it into your research. Thus, depending on where you would conduct your research, you must comply and follow national (Belgian) and European legislation and guidelines.

A concrete overview of Belgian and European legislation and guidelines can be found in the Research Tip “GenAI: overview of national and European legislation and guidelines”.

Need more information about AI?

Quite a lot of information regarding the use of AI, from different perspectives and with different objectives, is already available at Ghent University.

More information regarding (Gen)AI and research?