INTEC researchers call for training critical users of AI, not banning its use.
Academics from various fields agree that AI tools can strengthen the research process if they are used ethically, their use is documented, and they never replace the researcher's critical analysis.
SANTO DOMINGO – Researchers from Instituto Tecnológico de Santo Domingo (INTEC) argued that generative artificial intelligence should be integrated into the teaching process as a tool to strengthen critical thinking, rather than being prohibited. In their view, the real challenge is not preventing its use, but rather training students and researchers capable of questioning, verifying, and using these technologies with their own judgment.
During a conversation about the challenges posed by the use of artificial intelligence in academia, Doctors Sabine Mary, Santiago Gallur and Ulises Jáuregui addressed aspects related to ethics, authorship, the security of unpublished information and the training of new researchers.
In that context, Dr. Sabine Mary stated that "the real question is how to train researchers capable of using it critically, without giving up academic integrity or their own thinking," considering that the discussion should focus less on prohibiting technology and more on developing skills to use it responsibly.
Experts agreed that artificial intelligence can become an ally of the scientific process when used for support tasks, such as improving writing, translating texts, or facilitating technical processes.
However, they cautioned that the analysis of results, the formulation of hypotheses, the interpretation of evidence, and the conclusions must be the sole responsibility of the researcher. Delegating these functions to a generative model implies replacing academic judgment with an algorithm and compromising the integrity of scientific work.
Another key point raised by the experts was the need for transparency in the use of these tools. The researchers recommended that academic papers explicitly state when and for what purpose artificial intelligence was used, in the same way that the use of statistical programs or specialized software is currently documented. They also emphasized that authors must personally verify all information generated by these systems and assume responsibility for the final content.
In that regard, Dr. Santiago Gallur emphasized that "AI is a legitimate tool at all stages of research as long as it is explicitly and clearly declared" and reminded everyone that "the problem always comes from deception."
Academics also warned about the risks associated with the indiscriminate use of commercial AI platforms. These included the potential exposure of unpublished information, the protection of intellectual property, and so-called "hallucinations"—responses that present false data or nonexistent references while appearing truthful.
Given this scenario, they stressed the importance of maintaining traditional verification practices, such as consulting original sources, manually reviewing bibliographic references, and verifying each piece of data before incorporating it into an investigation.
Regarding the training of new researchers, experts pointed out that artificial intelligence should not replace learning processes, but rather strengthen them. Instead of prohibiting these tools, they proposed incorporating them as objects of critical analysis, and encouraging students to identify their biases, detect errors, and compare their answers with scientific literature.
They also highlighted that thesis defenses, oral presentations, and academic debates acquire renewed value, as they allow for verification of the actual mastery a person possesses over the knowledge they claim to have constructed.
For INTEC researchers, the future of science will depend less on the development of new artificial intelligence tools than on training researchers capable of using them transparently and with sound judgment. In a context where automation is advancing rapidly, they agree that ethics, critical thinking, and intellectual responsibility will continue to be the pillars that distinguish rigorous research from a text generated by a machine.
Dr. Ulises Jáuregui summarized that vision by pointing out that "artificial intelligence is here to stay" and that the success of its incorporation depends on the experience of the researcher, since "the success of its use lies in the fact that the researcher's experience allows him to know exactly what he wants and how to ask for it."
About INTEC
El Instituto Tecnológico de Santo Domingo (INTEC) is a Dominican institution of higher education of a private, non-profit nature, which since its founding in 1972 has stood out for its academic excellence and its contribution to the social transformation of the country through science and technology.