The Role of STEM Librarians in Supporting Generative AI for Responsible Research

A presentation at Australasian STEM / Engineering Librarians Virtual Workshop on 13 June 2024

As generative AI tools become more prevalent in academic research, STEM libraries play vital role in promoting their responsible and ethical use. This discussion delves into how libraries can facilitate the adoption of AI technologies such as literature discovery tools, data analysis platforms, and writing assistants, while addressing key challenges that academic libraries face. Effective utilisation of these tools requires collaboration and coordination among librarians, researchers, IT professionals, and other stakeholders.

The potential benefits of generative AI in boosting productivity and research capabilities are examined. At the same time, risks such as accuracy concerns, authorship ambiguity, threats to academic integrity (including plagiarism), and over-reliance on AI are critically assessed.

Strategies for STEM libraries are discussed, including offering training on responsible AI use, establishing citation guidelines, and reinforcing academic integrity policies. Case studies and examples of best practices illustrate how to leverage generative AI while maintaining rigorous academic standards.

By fostering a nuanced understanding of the opportunities and challenges presented by generative AI, libraries can equip researchers with the knowledge and support needed to use these tools effectively. This presentation aims to empower STEM librarians and researchers to proactively shape the responsible integration of generative AI into the research process, ensuring it augments, rather than undermines, human expertise and academic rigour.