Paulo Couraceiro and Nivedita Chatterjee

This report presents the outcomes of the workshop "ChatGPT and Beyond: AI Literacy for Early-Career Scholars", organised by ECREA's Audience and Reception Studies Section at Södertörn University in Stockholm, Sweden. The workshop created a structured yet open space for early-career researchers to examine how artificial intelligence is reshaping academic research and professional identity. Fifteen participants, mainly doctoral candidates from diverse national and disciplinary backgrounds, took part in a three-hour interactive session. The workshop combined reflection, practical exercises, and group discussion. It addressed three main areas: expectations and concerns about AI, everyday academic uses of AI tools, and the broader social implications of AI adoption. Participants expressed mixed emotions. Many described AI as useful and efficient, especially for assisting in literature review, text editing and managing routine tasks. Simultaneously, they also expressed concerns about authorship, bias, data privacy, and the risk of AI hallucinations. A key theme that emerged from the interaction was uncertainty. This was reflected in how university policies for AI adoption were often perceived as vague, inconsistent, or difficult to interpret. The ambiguity contributes to hesitation in disclosing the usage of AI and, in some cases, fear of reputational damage. Overall, the workshop highlights a strong demand for practical guidance and transparent discussion. Early-career scholars are not seeking to replace their work with AI, but to use it responsibly within clear ethical boundaries.

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