AI and I (Part 3): As a Researcher. “How Artificial Intelligence Is Transforming the Way I Think, Explore, and Discover”

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17 Oct, 2025

AI and I (Part 3): As a Researcher

“How Artificial Intelligence Is Transforming the Way I Think, Explore, and Discover”

In my journey as a researcher and consultant, one thing has become clear: AI is not just a tool; it’s a collaborator. Research is both art and science. It demands curiosity, critical thinking, and credibility. Yet, it also requires speed, precision, and synthesis across oceans of information. That’s where AI steps in to help me think better, work faster, and uncover deeper insights.

Part 2 of “AI and I” was about productivity and business performance; this part 3 focuses on how AI has reshaped how I conduct research, analyze data, and publish findings, without compromising academic rigour or originality.

🔍 A New Era of Research

Traditional research often begins with a question and hours of searching, reading, and organizing. AI now accelerates that process. It helps me move from information overload to insight clarity, turning scattered data into structured understanding.

🧩 My AI Research Toolbox (NB: I am also still exploring a number of them)

A. For Literature Review and Exploration

  • Research Rabbit & Connected Papers: to visualize related works, track citation networks, and identify emerging research themes.
  • Elicit.org: AI-powered research assistant that summarizes academic papers and extracts key insights.
  • Perplexity AI & Consensus: to find evidence-based answers and link them to verified sources.
  • Scite.ai: to evaluate how papers are cited, whether supporting or contrasting the arguments.

B. For Data Gathering and Analysis

  • ChatGPT Advanced Data Analysis (ADA): to clean, analyze, and interpret datasets using code or natural language.
  • Excel Copilot & Power BI with Copilot: to perform trend analysis and create visual summaries.
  • Tableau AI: for interactive dashboards and visual storytelling with data.
  • Nvivo AI Assistant: for qualitative data analysis, categorizing themes and sentiments quickly.

C. For Writing, Drafting, and Reviewing

  • GrammarlyGO & Quillbot: for refining tone, coherence, and academic clarity.
  • Wordtune & Jasper AI: to rewrite complex sections and maintain logical flow.
  • ChatGPT & Gemini AI: to generate outlines, suggest structure, and verify logic.
  • DeepSeek & Perplexity: for fact-checking and providing balanced perspectives.

D. For Referencing and Citation

  • Zotero & Mendeley: for organizing sources and automatic citation formatting.
  • Scite.ai & Semantic Scholar: to ensure accuracy and integrity of cited references.
  • Scholarcy: for summarizing key papers and maintaining quick reference notes.

E. For Presentation and Publication

  • Canva Magic Studio & Gamma AI: to create research visuals, posters, and professional presentations.
  • ElevenLabs: to turn research summaries into narrated audio abstracts.
  • Notion AI: for research documentation, collaboration, and progress tracking.

🎯 The Impact: From Research Fatigue to Research Flow

Using AI has changed my approach to research. I now spend less time searching and more time thinking. It helps me:

  1. Generate stronger research questions grounded in evidence.
  2. Identify patterns and insights hidden within data.
  3. Improve the clarity, quality, and accessibility of research outputs.
  4. Collaborate seamlessly across geographies and disciplines.

NB: AI doesn’t do the thinking for me, it sharpens the way I think.

⚖️ Ethical and Academic Integrity

AI can accelerate discovery, but it also demands discipline. As researchers, we must uphold:

  • Transparency: always disclosing AI assistance in research outputs.
  • Originality: humanize our work, ensuring human reasoning remains at the core of our work and conclusions.
  • Credibility: verifying every source and maintaining academic rigour.

NB: AI expands the researcher’s reach, but integrity keeps the work real.

🌍 Looking Ahead

Research is no longer limited by access to information but by our ability to interpret it. AI has become my quiet partner in curiosity, helping me move faster, go deeper, and think broader. In the next edition, “AI and I (Part 4),” I’ll share how I’m using AI in another exciting dimension.

Until then, keep exploring. Because the future of research isn’t about doing more, it’s about discovering smarter.

C’est moi,

Dr. Funke Medun

#AIandI #ResearchInnovation #AIinAcademia #ArtificialIntelligence #KnowledgeEconomy

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