Write your bachelor thesis with AI

Chances and challenges

The rapid development of artificial intelligence (AI) is influencing more and more areas of our lives, from the automation of industrial processes to the personalization of our digital experiences. The influence of AI is also making itself felt in academia, particularly in the writing of academic papers such as bachelor’s theses. But can you really have a bachelor’s thesis written by AI?

In the following sections, we will look in detail at the specific uses of AI tools such as ChatGPT for brainstorming and Perplexity.ai for research support. We will also discuss the limitations of these technologies, particularly in terms of their accuracy and reliability. In addition, the article will emphasize the indispensable role of the human author, whose critical thinking and expertise remain at the core of any academic work.

Author: Luca Gudermann
23.07.24
08:45

Possibilities of using AI when writing a bachelor thesis

AI-supported tools such as ChatGPT offer students a variety of support options when writing their Bachelor’s thesis. One of the greatest strengths of these technologies is their ability to help with idea generation and inspiration. AI systems can access an extensive database of texts and make suggestions relevant to the topic. This is particularly helpful in the early stages of the writing process when it comes to gaining an overview of the research topic and identifying potential areas of focus.

Another significant advantage of AI tools is their ability to speed up the research process. Tools such as Perplexity.ai provide quick access to a wide range of scientific articles and sources. This significantly reduces the time spent on literature research and allows students to spend more time on the actual analysis and writing.

AI can also help with the creation of first drafts. It offers structural suggestions, formulates scientific arguments and even creates references based on the data entered. This initial text base can help students organize their thoughts and develop a clear roadmap for their work. Nevertheless, it is important that the information provided by AI is critically evaluated. Due to the possibility of so-called “hallucinations”, i.e. the generation of false or inaccurate data, a careful review of each piece of information is essential.

Limitations and challenges of AI when writing a bachelor thesis

Despite the impressive capabilities in data processing and information generation, AI-supported tools have some significant limitations. One major problem is ‘hallucination’, where AI systems generate factually incorrect or fabricated data. It is essential that all data generated by AI is carefully checked by users and validated by reliable sources.

Furthermore, while AI tools can structure and present information, they lack the in-depth understanding and critical analysis required for academic writing. Academic writing requires not only the collection of data, but also its critical evaluation and the ability to develop and support complex arguments. These aspects of academic writing remain firmly in the domain of human skills.

Another critical aspect where AI tools reach their limits is the creation of new approaches and innovative ideas. Academic work often requires deep reflection on existing theories and research findings as well as the development of new approaches. AI tools can support by aggregating existing information, but the generation of original, innovative approaches remains a human strength.

Technical functioning of AI (LLMs) and the phenomenon of hallucinations

Artificial intelligence, especially in the form of large language models (LLMs) such as ChatGPT, is based on complex algorithms and enormous amounts of data. These models are trained by machine learning, specifically using deep learning. Deep learning is based on artificial neural networks whose structure is modeled on the neural networks of the human brain.

The training phase of an LLM involves reading and processing large volumes of text data. These texts come from various sources such as books, articles, websites and other media. Through training, the models learn to recognize patterns and relationships in the data, understand words and sentences in context and even mimic the style and tone of different types of text. The goal is to predict the likelihood of which word or phrase will continue a sentence based on the previous context.

Despite their advanced capabilities, LLMs are prone to a phenomenon known as “hallucination”. This is when the model generates answers that are falsely confident but factually inaccurate or completely wrong. This problem occurs because the models have no real understanding or awareness. They are based solely on statistical patterns in the data they have seen during training.

The role of the human author in academic writing

Despite the advanced support of AI tools, the role of the human author at the center of the academic writing process remains irreplaceable. Human authors bring not only subject-specific knowledge and deep understanding of their topics, but also the ability to critically analyze and reflect, which are essential for the creation of high-quality academic papers. The human ability to interpret, synthesize and critically evaluate information remains a challenge for AI systems.

While AI tools can be helpful in creating first drafts, the creation of a final academic paper requires extensive revision and fine-tuning by humans. This includes checking the coherence and logic of the argument, contributing their own insights and ensuring compliance with academic standards.

Human authors also bear ethical responsibility for their work. Maintaining academic integrity – that is, correctly citing sources, avoiding plagiarism and being honest about the AI’s contribution – is fundamental. This ensures the credibility and value of academic work and promotes trust in the academic community.

Future prospects: AI and academic writing

The future of AI in academic writing is both exciting and challenging. As technology advances, AI-powered tools are expected to become even more powerful and versatile. They may be able to provide even more precise and useful assistance, whether through more advanced research capabilities, more detailed text suggestions or even by detecting and correcting logical errors and inconsistencies in academic papers.

One exciting development could be the increased personalization and adaptability of AI tools. Future systems could be able to better understand an author’s individual style and preferences and create texts that accurately reflect this style. This would make it possible for the texts created by the AI to appear more natural and less generic. I

t is also conceivable that AI-supported systems will increasingly be used as interactive learning and training tools. Rather than simply generating texts, these systems could help students improve their writing skills by providing detailed feedback, learning resources and personalized writing exercises.

Despite these advances, the human element of academic writing will remain essential. The ability to critically reflect, create new ideas and be ethically responsible cannot be completely replaced by AI. Rather, AI should be seen as a supplement and support that enables the writing process to be more efficient and productive.

Conclusion: AI as a support, not a replacement

While AI tools can provide valuable support when writing a bachelor thesis, they do not replace the critical and creative skills of the human author. Students should use AI as a tool to improve their work and make it more efficient, but always retain control and responsibility for the final text.

Are you ready to take your bachelor thesis to the next level with professional support? Contact us to get a no-obligation quote and achieve your academic goals. With our help, you can increase the quality of your academic work and position yourself successfully in the academic world.

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