Chemophobia and AI: artificial intelligence as a possible solution in the forthcoming clash of narratives

Abstract

Although artificial intelligence (AI) has been used in chemistry, more or less covertly, for many decades (databases for data management, programs for designing synthesis, toxicological expert systems, etc.), the massive emergence of user-friendly artificial intelligence presents an interesting opportunity and challenge for chemists to improve the communication power of chemistry and its position in society. Although repeatedly questioned by many critics per se value-neutral generative AI stands a good chance of becoming an important tool for presenting chemical information throughout all strata of society. Additionally, it can support the spread of science-based opinions on chemistry to the public and help popularize science in general as well. AI allows virtually every scientist to become a major player in science communication. This could lead to a containment of chemophobia. However, the use of AI as a communication tool requires continuous education, personal development and training of those who use it, in this case chemists and scientists in general. They will play a crucial role as arbiters of the appropriateness, adequacy and factual accuracy of the content generated by generative AI. The democratization of communication made possible by generative AI entails the need to adapt the dialogue to the communication preferences, demography and education of the interlocutors. Thus, generative AI empowers both those who enter the prompts and those who receive the subsequent results. Most scientists do not realize it, but generative AI puts the public, not scientists, at the center of communication. It is important to recognize this and use generative AI to target communication, education, and overall community development. The clash of narratives that may be a natural consequence of the growing number of generative AI users and the increasing amount of content being created may, perhaps unexpectedly for many, lead to the opposite result – a new Enlightenment. Either way, chemists would do well to be there; for their ability to understand the laws of matter, the beginning and end of things; for the dual nature of chemistry as an art and a science.

Graphical abstract