Postdocs Turn to Chatbots for Help with Tasks, But Worry About Quality

Chatbots like ChatGPT are helping some postdocs, like Rafael Bretas, with tasks like writing formal letters in a second language.

In a Nature survey, 31% of postdocs reported using chatbots, with the most common uses being refining text and coding.

Some researchers see chatbots as big time-savers, while others warn they may produce low-quality work.

Most postdocs are self-taught in using chatbots, as few institutions have issued formal guidelines on their use.

Postdocs see benefits in using chatbots for drudgery, but say AI can't replace scholarly thinking and decision-making.