Librarians Shape Ethical Research in an AI-Driven World

Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming the academic landscape, with many graduate students using it to streamline and enhance their research. GSU librarians are helping faculty and students responsibly and effectively integrate AI tools into their research process. In this interview, Christina Gangwisch, library liaison to the Robinson College of Business at the Atlanta and Buckhead Campuses, shares how the library plays a critical role in shaping safe, ethical, and high-quality research practices in an evolving technological landscape.

What is the primary goal of the librarians in teaching about AI research tools?

“There is a lot of enthusiasm from faculty and students about the potential for AI to help with research and discovery,” Christina Gangwisch explains. “As a librarian, my goal is to make sure that students and faculty are aware of emerging technologies and that they understand how they can and should be used to aid them with their research.”

What inspired you to start teaching about AI research tools?

“The inspiration came from a need within the Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) program. I was asked to work on a literature reviews workshop for our DBA students at the Buckhead campus,” Gangwisch says. “Dr. Grabowski, the Director of the DBA program, was particularly interested in AI tools that could be used for literature reviews.” This led Christina to research AI applications for future workshops and connect with colleagues at Purdue University who had developed a similar program for their graduate students.

What AI tools are being introduced, and how were they selected?

During a recent workshop, Gangwisch introduced tools like Research Rabbit, Perplexity, and Inciteful. “These tools were selected because they can be used for literature reviews,” she explains. Each tool offers unique functionalities:

Research Rabbit is a citation-based literature mapping tool that helps researchers visualize connections between publications and discover related works.

Perplexity functions as a conversational search engine that synthesizes search results, focusing on peer-reviewed articles.

Inciteful allows for graph-based analysis of research papers, making it particularly useful for interdisciplinary studies.

Additionally, she discussed ChatGPT’s capabilities and limitations, emphasizing its tendency to generate inaccurate citations and skewed results, which can be damaging if used improperly.

How do you and other librarians stay updated on emerging AI tools and trends in academia?

“Talking to other academic librarians and attending workshops and other professional development opportunities is one of the best ways to stay updated on emerging technologies and trends,” says Gangwisch. “I am a member of ALA (American Library Association) and have joined the Business Reference and Services Section (BRASS). Everyone I have met through BRASS has impressed me with their enthusiasm for our subject area and their willingness to help each other find the answers to tough questions.”

How do you see these tools transforming the research process for students and faculty?

Gangwisch is clear that while AI tools are transformative, they are not replacements for human effort. “AI tools can enhance the research process, but it’s still important for patrons to review the information, analyze it, and come to their own conclusions.” Gangwisch emphasizes the continued importance of traditional research methods, such as searching library databases and using diverse research questions to eliminate bias.

“We talk about the fact that AI tools can be biased, have reliability issues, and present privacy concerns,” Gangwisch shares. “We also discuss ways students can ensure transparency about how they used AI tools and how to disclose this information appropriately, especially with publishers who now require authors to reveal their use of generative AI.”

How do the librarians demonstrate the value of AI tools in improving research efficiency and quality?

The key, Gangwisch believes, is in embracing and teaching these tools while ensuring ethical practices. “Libraries have evolved dramatically over time,” she explains. “It can be tempting to let fear prevent us from embracing AI tools, but doing so would mean missing opportunities to help students and faculty learn how to use these tools ethically and with integrity.”

Gangwisch and other GSU librarians are helping to position the library as a critical resource for navigating the rapidly evolving landscape of AI-driven research. Through thoughtful instruction and a commitment to ethical practices, they’re preparing students and faculty not only to use AI tools effectively, but to approach them with the critical thinking skills needed for success in the academic and professional worlds. ▪

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