Dr Kyle Hemming1, Dr Erin Wood1
1University Of Auckland, Aotearoa / New Zealand
Biography:
Dr. Kyle Hemming is a Senior eResearch Engagement Specialist at the University of Auckland. He supports researchers in data science, data management, and responsible AI adoption. Kyle has spent a decade undertaking quantitative research and supporting researchers. He is also passionate about improving research outcomes through improving reproducible research, strategic planning, and stakeholder engagement.
Dr. Erin Wood is Research Services Adviser at the University of Auckland. She provides support to postgraduate, doctoral candidates and staff in areas such as research outputs and discovery, artificial intelligence application in scholarly communication, as well as developing and delivering research skills trainings and workshops. Erin has a PhD in protein expression dynamics from the University of Waikato.
Abstract:
Background
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming research practices. Readily accessible generative AI tools are enhancing the quality, breadth, and impact of research. However, this rapid uptake brings significant challenges, particularly around ethical use, compliance with security, and data privacy. Additionally, data biases and result fabrications are concerns are barriers to realising the benefits of AI for many researchers.
To ensure responsible and broad use of AI, it is essential researchers understand the context of their data, how AI tools generate outputs, and how they operate within institutional and societal contexts.
Actions
Waipapa Taumata Rau, University of Auckland has funded an AI literacy initiative. This initiative includes workshops, self-service resources, and community engagement. We have developed and delivered workshops in Responsible AI, for researchers and for supervisors, Transcription, Sentiment Analysis, Literature Reviews, and Prompt Engineering; we have enhanced one-on-one support, advertised University-approved tools (e.g. Nectar Transcription Virtual Desktop), and published online resources.
Results
There is significant interest and engagement from researchers in the AI workshops. We are also identifying priority knowledge gaps and concerns, and we are working within the University to improve AI infrastructure and guidance.
Conclusion
Our goal is to empower researchers to confidently use AI tools while upholding research integrity and ethical standards. This presentation will share our approach, key findings, and lessons learned from this initiative so far. Attendees will gain insight into how a large research institution is fostering AI literacy, where critical gaps remain, and strategies to maintain relevant as AI continues to evolve.