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