Have you ever read about a scientific discovery and felt like it was written in a foreign language? If you're like most Americans, new scientific information can prove challenging to understand -; especially if you try to tackle a science article in a research journal. In an era when scientific literacy is crucial for informed decision-making, the abilities to communicate and comprehend complex content are more important than ever. Trust in science has been declining for years, and one contributing factor may be the challenge of understanding scientific jargon.
New research from David Markowitz, associate professor of communication at Michigan State University, points to a potential solution: using artificial intelligence, or AI, to simplify science communication. His work demonstrates that AI-generated summaries may help restore trust in scientists and, in turn, encourage greater public engagement with scientific issues -; just by making scientific content more approachable. The question of trust is particularly important, as people often rely on science to inform decisions in their daily lives, from choosing what foods to eat to making critical heath care choices.
Responses are excerpts from an article originally published in The Conversation. How did simpler, AI-generated summaries affect the general public's comprehension of scientific studies? Artificial intelligence can generate summaries of scientific papers that make complex information more understandable for the pub.