Statement on the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in OIF research

As a social-science research institute at the University of Vienna, we see it as our task to conduct research at the cutting edge. This includes the responsible use of new methods, including AI-based tools. At present, there are no universally binding guidelines for the use or labelling of AI in the social sciences. We therefore wish to disclose how we employ AI in our day-to-day research:

We use AI selectively and in a supporting role. All suggestions generated by AI are carefully reviewed, assessed by subject-matter experts, and then refined, supplemented, or discarded. Wherever AI makes a material contribution to the research process, we make this transparent, for example in the relevant publications. Where personal data are involved, we use AI provided by the University of Vienna and comply with data protection requirements. Scientific responsibility at all times rests with us as researchers.

AI is intended primarily to contribute to quality assurance and to free up resources; it does not replace our scholarly expertise and experience. When it comes to core scholarly tasks—formulating research questions; developing research designs that take theoretical and methodological considerations into account; collecting, producing, analysing and interpreting data; and deriving implications and recommendations for societal decision-makers—our expertise and experience as researchers are essential.

Direct personal exchange with the scholarly community as well as with clients and funders also enables us to understand questions precisely and to align our work accordingly. This is contextual knowledge that AI does not possess. In this way, we use new methods responsibly and are guided by the principles of good scientific practice.