Artificial Intelligence in Ecology: A Commentary on a Chatbot's Perspective

Abstract

AbstractThe potential of artificial intelligence (AI) to shape research and education is a highly topical issue. The recent release of ChatGPT (Chat Generative Pre‐trained Transformer) by OpenAI on November 30, 2022 has opened up new possibilities for the use of chatbot services in ecological research and education. In this perspective article, we address associated contemporary topics including the use of chatbot services in ecology education and academic writing, the application of AI in ecology, the potential environmental impact, and ethical considerations of using such services. Several logistical, ethical and environmental factors were identified that should be considered in the context of ecological research. We argue that ChatGPT can help reduce the workload of researchers, generate new insights and ideas, and serve as a personal instructor and assistant for students. While we show how AI chatbots have the potential to be useful assets for ecologists, several challenges arose. AI in ecological research includes the limited ability of AI algorithms to capture complexity and nuance, the dependence of AI models on data quality, and ethical concerns about the use of AI in research. The construction and operation of such services also have potential environmental impacts but may also provide environmental benefits in comparison with other conventional approaches, all of which should be evaluated. Despite these limitations and challenges, we consider that the use of AI can be a valuable tool in ecological research and could enhance the speed and efficiency of research by automating certain tasks (e.g. data collection and management) and analyzing large amounts of data. However, we emphasize the importance of taking a responsible, sustainable and transparent approach to using chatbot services and AI in ecological research and education, while remaining mindful of the potential impact on the environment, society, and ethical concerns.