Abstract/ Rethinking Research: The Role of Humans in
Scientific Discovery in the Age of LLMs*
Artificial intelligence (AI) and large language models
(LLMs) are rapidly reshaping the landscape of scientific
discovery. These technologies highlight the significant
potential of AI to enhance human scientific capabilities and
accelerate research. At the same time, they signal a
profound shift in how research is conceived, conducted, and
communicated, as well as how doctoral students and
researchers are supervised and intellectually developed.
This transformation calls for a critical re-examination of
the human role in research.
The relationship between humans and AI, and their combined
biological and artificial intelligence, must be grounded in
mutual critique, trust, and collaboration. Researchers
should rigorously evaluate AI-generated outputs using their
own expertise and judgment, while also leveraging LLMs to
test, challenge, and refine arguments and hypotheses through
critical thinking. Such reciprocal co-creation ensures that
AI functions as an augmentative partner rather than a
replacement in the pursuit of scientific knowledge. It also
points toward a shift from a traditional two-way
relationship to a three-way partnership involving students,
supervisors, and LLMs.
Rather than offering definitive conclusions, this talk seeks
to stimulate dialogue, question assumptions, and inspire new
forms of collective thinking about the future of scientific
research and doctoral training in an AI-driven world.
*This presentation was prepared by human, augmented by
LLMs.
Who is Sir Bashir M. Al-Hashimi
Professor Sir Bashir M. Al-Hashimi CBE FRS FREng is a
distinguished Professor of Engineering, academic leader, and
entrepreneur. He has served as Vice President for Research
& Innovation at King’s College London since 2022 and
holds the Arm Professorship of Computer Engineering (since
2007). Sir Bashir co-founded the Arm–Southampton Research
Centre, one of the UK’s most successful university-industry
partnerships. His work in hardware–software co-design and
energy-efficient computing has shaped modern digital
technologies, with innovations used in billions of
smartphones worldwide. He is Co-Director of the King’s
Institute for Artificial Intelligence.
Elected Fellow of the Royal Society (FRS), the Royal Academy
of Engineering (FREng), and the European Academy of Sciences
and Arts, Sir Bashir is a highly cited researcher with 400
publications, eight books, and 52 supervised PhDs. His
honours include the IET Faraday Medal (2020) and the
IEEE–HKN Asad M. Madni Award (2025).
He was knighted by HM King Charles III in 2025 for
exceptional leadership in engineering and education and was
appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE)
by HM Queen Elizabeth II in 2018, for his contributions to
research and innovation. In November 2025, he launched the
final report and recommendations of the UK Future
Engineering Skills national project—led by him— at the House
of Lords on behalf of the Royal Academy of Engineering.
About the TWAS Distinguished Speaker Webinar Series on AI
and Data Science
The Series aims to highlight practical perspectives on AI
and data science applications relevant to developing
countries and to foster dialogue among scientists,
policymakers, and the broader research community.
We hope you will join us for this event and take part in
the discussion.
Best regards,
Giovanni
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