Duke’s Data+ program is a 10-week summer research experience that brings together undergraduate and master’s students to work on interdisciplinary data science projects. The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into Data+ projects has revolutionized the way teams approach coding and research. Participants in these projects have found AI tools, particularly ChatGPT, to be invaluable in overcoming their limited coding experience and enhancing their productivity.
Hector Monterroso, a project manager for the Making Climate Hazard Risk Data Useful for North Carolina Communities (Climate+) team, highlighted the importance of AI for team members who lack a strong coding background. “I suggested using ChatGPT to help with their code,” Monterroso explained. “However, I noticed that without a solid background, you might not get the best results. It’s crucial to ask questions in a specific way to get exactly what you need.”
Julia Kagliery, ’24, noted that ChatGPT has significantly accelerated their coding process. “There are three of us on the team with very limited Python experience. My computer struggles with some models, but ChatGPT has been hugely helpful in learning packages and debugging code. It explains everything line by line, which is fascinating.”
For Ryan Wu, ’27, ChatGPT has been instrumental in conducting background literature reviews. “When researching multiple sclerosis and social determinants of health, ChatGPT helped me understand medical jargon and pointed me in the right direction.”
The integration of AI in Data+ projects has clearly demonstrated its potential to transform coding and research, making complex tasks more accessible and efficient for all team members. As AI technology continues to evolve, its role in such initiatives is likely to expand, offering even greater support and innovation.
Watch a video where Data+ students discuss how they used AI in their summer research.
