Since ChatGPT has been introduced, including other AI systems, there has been some ethical concerns on whether or not these are acceptable for use. Some of us have been a bit sceptical in making use of ChatGPT. ChatGPT is a AI (Artificial Intelligent) chatbot that uses natural language processing to create humanlike conversational dialogue. The language model can respond to questions and compose various written content, including articles, social media posts, essays, code, and emails (Hetler no date). Eventually, I decided to have a try and use this system and have it write a blog, to see the type of information it will provide. Of course I was also looking at the speed and the references it will use. And hopefully, see how one can use this technology and ‘co-author’ with it before speaking about the ethics of using ChatGPT for writing a scientific article.
Subsequently, I decided to use ChatGTP to look at the field of biotechnology and AI in South Africa, I did not expect to receive a lot of information concerning this topic from South Africa, because I am aware of the limitation in this area, which may be due to limited research and authorship in this field. Conversely, there was enough information mainly from organisations that are affiliated with the State. This was an indication (at least to me) that there is something happening in this field and it is not all gloomy. Next is the blog article that was written when asking ChatGPT to write on ‘biotechnology and AI in South Africa’ is seen below, and please use your own discretion to see if it may be considered a professional blog as is on not, and whether it the information could be used for writing research publications.
“I think the biggest innovations of the 21st century will be at the intersection of Biotechnology and AI in South Africa (SA), biology and technology. A new era is beginning”
– Steve Jobs
Biotechnology and AI (Artificial Intelligence) have been emerging fields with significant potential in South Africa. Let’s explore each of them individually:
- Biotechnology: Biotechnology involves using living organisms, systems, or processes to develop or manufacture products or solve problems in various sectors, including healthcare, agriculture, and environmental sustainability. In South Africa, biotechnology has gained considerable attention and has been supported by government initiatives and research institutions. Here are some key aspects:
a. Healthcare: Biotechnology plays a vital role in the healthcare sector, contributing to the development of new drugs, diagnostics, and therapies. South African researchers and institutions have been involved in studying infectious diseases such as HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis, as well as genetic disorders. Biotechnology also has applications in personalized medicine, genomics, and regenerative medicine.
b. Agriculture: South Africa has a strong agricultural sector, and biotechnology has the potential to improve crop yields, develop disease-resistant plants, and enhance agricultural productivity. Genetically modified crops, such as insect-resistant maize and drought-tolerant crops, have been researched and cultivated in the country.
c. Conservation and Environment: Biotechnology is used to study and preserve biodiversity, protect endangered species, and manage ecosystems. South Africa’s rich biodiversity and unique ecosystems make it an important hub for bioprospecting and biopreservation initiatives.
- Artificial Intelligence (AI): AI involves the development of computer systems capable of performing tasks that typically require human intelligence. In South Africa, AI has gained momentum and is being applied in various sectors, including:
- Healthcare: AI has the potential to enhance medical diagnostics, optimize treatment plans, and improve patient outcomes. Applications include medical imaging analysis, predictive analytics, and personalized medicine. AI-based chatbots and telemedicine platforms also help expand access to healthcare services, particularly in remote areas.
- Finance and Banking: AI is used in fraud detection, risk assessment, and algorithmic trading in the financial sector. It helps automate routine tasks, streamline operations, and provide personalized financial services to customers.
- Smart Cities: AI technologies are being used to develop smart city solutions in South Africa. These include intelligent transportation systems, energy management, and urban planning. AI-based algorithms analyse data to optimize resource allocation, improve traffic flow, and enhance overall urban sustainability.
- d. Education: AI has the potential to revolutionize education by enabling personalized learning experiences, adaptive assessments, and intelligent tutoring systems. South Africa is exploring AI-driven education technologies to improve access to quality education and address learning gaps.
The South African government, research institutions, and private companies are actively investing in biotechnology and AI to harness their potential and promote innovation in these fields. Initiatives such as research funding, collaborations, and incubators have been established to foster growth and development in biotechnology and AI sectors.
- areas such as medical imaging analysis, disease prediction, and telemedicine. Studies and research papers published in journals like “South African Journal of Radiology” and “Healthcare Informatics Research” provide insights into AI applications in the healthcare sector.
- AI in Finance: Financial institutions in South Africa have been exploring AI applications in areas such as fraud detection, risk assessment, and algorithmic trading. Reports from organizations like the South African Reserve Bank and industry publications like “BusinessTech” may provide insights into AI adoption in the finance sector.
- AI for Smart Cities: Initiatives related to AI-driven smart city solutions in South Africa can be found in government publications, research articles, and reports from organizations like the South African Cities Network (SACN) and the South African Local Government Association (SALGA).
Please note that the references mentioned above are indicative and not exhaustive. Conducting further research using academic databases, scientific journals, and relevant South African government websites will provide you with more specific and detailed information on the biotechnology and AI landscape in South Africa.
“ChatGPT is incredibly limited, but good enough at some things to create a misleading impression of greatness. it’s a mistake to be relying on it for anything important right now. it’s a preview of progress; we have lots of work to do on robustness and truthfulness.”
– Sam Altman, CEO OpenAI.
In my opinion, ChatGPT may be sufficient enough to be used for writing a blog article and for some research purposes, however, not sufficient to be used alone even as a blog article. The above information from the ChatGPT had some mistakes but not big mistakes that could not be changed or deleted. Moreover, the author must be able to verify that the information provided is true and based on sound scientific facts before using them for any scientific blog or papers or assays. On the other hand, ChatGPT is very quick in giving the information and friendly to use as you can ask for information with references or without reference (which may be worrisome to think about for academic and publication purposes). But, using ChatGPT is like getting bare information that must still be unpacked and analyse before being used. This makes one wonder about the value and integrity of the information from ChatGPT. What standard is used to verify this information? And even with this standard in place there could be more concerns that one will have to take into consideration.
I confess that I do feel like using ChatGPT is cheating or maybe in a more direct sense plagiarism. Plagiarism is a serious concerns particular in academic and scientific research, and it has taken time for plagiarism to be effectively address within these fields. There are notable ethical concerns when it comes to using ChatGPT for research and publications but many could be the same as for other academic and scientific publications and purposes. However, the main ethical issues with ChatGPT may be; could it be enough to reference ChatGPT for journals? Recent scientific blogs from Nature indicate how ChatGPT’s publication may be dishonest or has published fake (scientific) data. Is ChatGPT making our lives easier? Probably, but will referencing a ChatGPT be acceptable for journal publication and/ or academic work? That is yet to be discovered. Howbeit, I do foresee some ethical issues particularly those concerning scientific integrity when it comes to the publication space that we may need to unpack and address. Maybe in the coming blogs.
Written by: ChatGPT, Biotechnology and AI in South Africa , July 2023 & Fikile M. Mnisi, Ph.D
References:
Hetler, A. no date. “Definition ChatGPT”. TechTarget. Available from: https://www.techtarget.com
