Strategic use of generative AI
Strategic use of generative AI
27 March 2026, 9h00-17h00
General context
Generative AI is rapidly transforming how we work, communicate, and conduct research. For researchers, support staff, and professionals across disciplines, understanding how to strategically use tools like ChatGPT and other large language models (LLMs) is becoming essential. This introductory training is designed to equip participants with a foundational understanding of generative AI, its practical applications, and its limitations. Whether you're drafting research proposals, automating routine tasks, or exploring new ways to generate content, this course will help you use AI tools more effectively and responsibly.
We will cover various aspects of using ChatBots powered by LLMs, including ethical and ownership considerations, theoretical foundations, and practical applications. These include strategic prompting for text generation in any context, as well as generating high-quality content for research papers and grant applications.
1/2 DAY TICKET:
This session introduces the core concepts of generative AI, including ethical considerations, data ownership, and hands-on examples of everyday use. It is ideal for administrative staff, support roles, and anyone curious about integrating AI into their workflow or personal projects.
FULL DAY TICKET:
Building on the morning session, the afternoon dives deeper into academic and research-specific use cases. Participants will explore how generative AI can support scientific writing, literature reviews, data analysis, and grant writing, with a focus on strategic prompting and critical evaluation of AI-generated content.
- Describe the evolution and core principles of generative AI models and their relevance to academic research.
- Identify the features, capabilities, and limitations of various generative AI tools used in research workflows.
- Apply prompt engineering techniques to generate relevant outputs for tasks such as literature reviews, content drafting, and brainstorming.
- Demonstrate the use of generative AI tools to support specific academic tasks, including writing, summarizing, and ideation.
- Evaluate the quality, reliability, and ethical implications of AI-generated content in the context of scholarly work.
- Integrate generative AI tools into personal research workflows to enhance productivity while maintaining critical oversight.
The workshop is aimed at support staff and researchers who are beginning to use new generative AI tools. Given the high versatility of this technology, the class is structured as an interdisciplinary initiative and is open to all researchers and support staff, regardless of their field. Irrespective of their field.
No previous experience in machine learning or coding skills is required.
- Microsoft 365 Copilot Chat
- Perplexity
- Elicit
- and many more
This course is part of the learning path Basic research essentials.
Trainers
Alexander Botzki
Alexander Botzki at the Flemish Institute of Biotechnology, Belgium has with his group the mission of providing technology training in domains of VIB Technologies, Bioinformatics & AI, Software Development, and Research Data Management. Between 2014 and 2022, he was head of the VIB Bioinformatics Core. From September 2009 to July 2014, he was responsible for the roll-out of E-Notebook (electronic lab notebook) to VIB's researchers within 75 research groups.
Before joining VIB, Alexander worked on various computational biology projects for Algonomics (bought by Lonza, 2008-2009) and DevGen (now Syngenta, from 2006-2008). During Alexander's PostDoc at Sanofi Aventis in Strasbourg, he executed various virtual screening campaigns on the compound selection of the merged enterprise. He received his doctoral degree with the group of Prof. Dr. Armin Buschauer (University of Regensburg, Germany) on 'Structure-based design of hyaluronidase inhibitors'.
Jolan Heyse
Jolan Heyse is a trainer at VIB specializing in artificial intelligence and data science for life sciences. He holds a master's degree and a PhD in Biomedical Engineering from Ghent University, where his research focused on applying AI to EEG-based epilepsy diagnosis. Before joining VIB, Jolan worked as a data scientist at AZ Delta, developing AI applications for healthcare. His expertise includes machine learning, biomedical signal processing, Large Language Models (LLMs), and translating complex algorithms into practical tools for researchers. At VIB, he designs and delivers training programs to help scientists with data-driven methods.
Bruna Piereck
Bruna Piereck is a bioinformatics trainer at VIB and ELIXIR-BE training coordinator deputy. She obtained a Master and PhD degree in Molecular Genetics, with a focus on Bioinformatics from the Federal University of Pernambuco, Brazil, in 2019. During her PhD, she had the chance to collaborate with the university of Luxembourg and the McGill university in Quebec Canada for a short time. Ever since she has been involved with teaching and research and Since March 2022, she joined VIB with the mission of teaching and assist other trainers in a variety of topics.
Program
- Brief historical background: from the first AI to generative AI
- Mapping generative AI tools
- Focus on Large Language Models (LLMs)
- Tools for genAI (CoPilot, Perplexity, and other competitors)
- Prompt engineering
- Ethical considerations
- Ownership, copyright, and authenticity
- Conducting a literature review (Perplexity, ASTA, others)
- Finding research gaps in literature reviews
- Document summarisation
- Feedback for writing (storytelling, etc.)
- Presenting the outcome
- Examples for AI Agents for writing tasks
Practical info
27 March 2026
Ghent - VIB/UGent FSVM II
Technologiepark 75
9052 Zwijnaarde
Belgium
27 March 2026
Ghent - VIB/UGent FSVM II
From Ghent Sint-Pieters station, you can take a bus to Technologiepark. Please check Routeplanner De Lijn for schedules.
27 March 2026
Ghent - VIB/UGent FSVM II
Looking for a custom cycling route? Try the online cycling route planner to easily and quickly identify the fastest, safest and/or most scenic route to any destination in Ghent.
Cycling route planner
Shared bicycles:
Several providers are active in the area.
Take a look at their platforms:
- Indigo Weel Pro app
- Bluebike
- DOTT
- BOLT eBikes
- Donkey Republic
There are also some public bicycle pumps at the park.
27 March 2026
Ghent - VIB/UGent FSVM II
There is only one entrance to Technologiepark. At the entrance, please take a ticket - Parking is only allowed in regular parking spots (for instance in front of the building) and in the parking tower. Parking alongside the roads or in other places where there is no regular parking is prohibited.