STEM Update #11: Generative AI and Merit Review

Tuesday, January 9, 2024


Context: In my role as division director of IIS, I’m sending out a short message to the IIS mailing list on the Second Tuesday Every Month (STEM). Here’s the installment for January  2024.

 

Two days after my most recent STEM, NSF announced guidance on the use of generative artificial intelligence (GAI) technology in the NSF merit review process: https://new.nsf.gov/news/notice-to-the-research-community-on-ai . I wanted to share some information about that announcement.

 

The merit review process is NSF’s pride and joy and so this announcement is kind of a big deal. Or, to say it another way, it took us a year from when it became clear that ChatGPT was having a big impact before we felt ready to share our perspective, because we don’t take this kind of thing lightly. NSF is a very consultative place so everything is discussed in detail before anything visible happens. Regardless, I was happy to be a part of the process of putting it together and I am very happy it’s out there now.

 

Here’s what I think are the highlights:

 

 

We plan to continue to monitor the landscape closely. As always, I welcome your feedback.

 

Until next time!

 

-Michael