Thinking With Machines: How Academics Can Use Generative AI Thoughtfully and Ethically

• April 25, 2025

As generative AI tools like ChatGPT revolutionize the landscape of academic research and scholarship, the need to approach these technologies with thoughtfulness and ethics has become increasingly crucial. On May 2, 2025, DARIAH will host a webinar titled “Thinking With Machines: How Academics Can Use Generative AI Thoughtfully and Ethically”, where Dr. Mark Carrigan, Senior Lecturer in Education at the University of Manchester, will guide attendees on integrating generative AI into academic practice in ways that enhance, rather than replace, human intellectual engagement.

Event Details

• Date: Friday, May 2, 2025
• Time: 4:00 PM IST / 5:00 PM CEST / 6:00 PM EEST
• Speaker: Dr. Mark Carrigan, University of Manchester
• Registration: Free but required

This webinar is part of the DARIAH Spring/Summer 2025 series, which aims to foster learning, share best practices, and explore social impacts through the lens of digital humanities. The Friday Frontiers webinars provide a platform for researchers, practitioners, and stakeholders to engage in current academic discussions, exchange knowledge, and learn about innovative tools and methods in digital humanities scholarly practices.

The sessions are recorded and available later on DARIAH-Campus for those unable to attend live.

Webinar Abstract

Generative AI tools, like ChatGPT, offer immense potential to support academic scholarship, but their indiscriminate use may pose risks to academic integrity. In this talk, Dr. Carrigan will discuss a framework that encourages the thoughtful adoption of generative AI in academic settings. Rather than treating these tools as mere productivity boosters, the presentation will explore how AI-driven conversational agents can serve as intellectual partners that complement human thought. Dr. Carrigan will also address the broader implications these advancements may have for universities and the future of academia.

About the Speaker

Dr. Mark Carrigan is a Senior Lecturer in Education at the University of Manchester, where he leads the MA Digital Technologies, Communication and Education (DTCE) program. His expertise spans philosophy, sociology, and education, with a focus on integrating emerging technologies in academic practice. Dr. Carrigan is the author of several works, including Social Media for Academics (2nd edition, Sage) and Generative AI for Academics (Sage, December 2024). He is an active contributor to academic communities, including the Critical Realism Network and the Centre for Social Ontology.

This session is especially timely, as generative AI tools continue to evolve, raising questions about their impact on the traditional norms of academia. Dr. Carrigan’s vast experience will provide attendees with essential insights into how these technologies can be harnessed ethically and thoughtfully to enhance academic research and practice.

Registration Information

The webinar is free to attend, but prior registration is required. Visit DARIAH’s registration page to secure your spot. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to engage with Dr. Carrigan and other scholars in the field of digital humanities.

Join for this insightful session on May 2 and explore how academics can harness the power of generative AI while maintaining ethical integrity in scholarly work.