A PhD is an apprenticeship in research – we can’t let AI take that away
A PhD is an apprenticeship in research – we can’t let AI take that away
Publish Date: 2026-03-12 15:14:00
Source Domain: theconversation.com
Here’s a summary of the main points from the article:
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Initial Skepticism: When OpenAI launched the advanced AI model, ChatGPT-5, some academics questioned its “PhD-level” claims due to AI’s known limitations like hallucinations and flawed reasoning.
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AI in Academia: Despite initial skepticism, many academics now use tools like ChatGPT to assist in their research, helping with tasks that previously required PhD students.
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Personal Experience: The author, who used to be a skeptic, has conducted a research project using generative AI, achieving research output that could have taken a PhD student a year to complete.
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PhD Students’ Role: PhD students play a crucial role in research, serving as apprentice researchers who learn to formulate questions, critique findings, and take responsibility for scientific work under supervision.
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Using AI as a Tool: In the author’s research project, AI helped refine mathematical definitions and theorems, translate them into a computerized format, and implement proofs and programs.
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Hidden Danger of AI: While AI boosts productivity, it poses a risk by undermining the traditional apprenticeship model that trains the next generation of research leaders.
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Responsibility and Care: Researchers must use AI responsibly, acknowledging that AI cannot perform the educational functions that PhD students traditionally fulfill. This includes teaching how to ask relevant questions, critique hypotheses, and communicate research findings effectively.
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Caution Advised: Academics need to use generative AI cautiously to preserve the educational and training benefits provided by the traditional PhD student model.
