22 June - Rethinking Research: The Role of Humans in Scientific Discovery in the Age of LLMs

[Giovanni Ortolani]

Dear colleagues,

The second webinar of the TWAS Distinguished Speaker Webinar Series on 
AI and Data Science, titled *'Rethinking Research: The Role of Humans in 
Scientific Discovery in the Age of LLMs*', will feature Professor Sir 
Bashir M. Al‑Hashimi CBE FRS FREng, a distinguished Professor of 
Engineering, academic leader, and entrepreneur.

The webinar will take place online via Zoom on 22 June at 16:30 CEST and 
will consist of a 40‑minute lecture, followed by a 20‑minute Q&A session.

Registration is available at the link below:
https://unesco-org.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_kggxM_TKQf-Y6rRzzdQYhg#/registration

Please feel free to share this invitation with colleagues and contacts 
who may be interested.

*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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Giovanni Ortolani
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The World Academy of Sciences
for the advancement of science in developing countries (TWAS)
ICTP Enrico Fermi Building, Room 107
via Beirut 6, Trieste, Italy
t: +39 040 2240-324
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