Gail Davies
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gailfdavies.bsky.social
Gail Davies
@gailfdavies.bsky.social
1.2K followers 670 following 83 posts
Prof in Human Geography at University of Exeter researching spaces of science & technology, human & animal health, research involvement & responsibility. Currently works on animal research & its replacements. Unexpected interest in chronic pain & FND.
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Reposted by Gail Davies
carlbergstrom.com
5. Today I read a paper by @sabinaleonelli.bsky.social and Alexander Mussgnug that I think illustrates this point perfectly.

philsci-archive.pitt.edu/24891/1/Phil...
Convenience AI Sabina Leonelli & Alexander Martin Mussgnug12 Abstract: This paper considers the mundane ways in which AI is being incorporated into scientific practice today, and particularly the extent to which AI is used to automate tasks perceived to be boring, “mere routine” and inconvenient to researchers. We label such uses as instances of “Convenience AI” — that is situations where AI is applied with the primary intention to increase speed and minimize human effort. We outline how attributions of convenience to AI applications involve three key characteristics: (i) an emphasis on speed and ease of action, (ii) a comparative element, as well as (iii) a subject-dependent and subjective quality. Using examples from medical science and development economics, we highlight epistemic benefits, complications, and drawbacks of Convenience AI along these three dimensions. While the pursuit of convenience through AI can save precious time and resources as well as give rise to novel forms of inquiry, our analysis underscores how the uncritical adoption of Convenience AI for the sake of shortcutting human labour may also weaken the evidential foundations of science and generate inertia in how research is planned, set-up and conducted, with potentially damaging implications for the knowledge being produced. Critically, we argue that the consistent association of Convenience AI with the goals of productivity, efficiency, and ease, as often promoted also by companies targeting the research market for AI applications, can lower critical scrutiny of research processes and shift focus away from appreciating their broader epistemic and social implications.
August 19, 2025 at 5:11 AM
gailfdavies.bsky.social
Sorry, Richard Milne! @rjmilne.bsky.social
July 24, 2025 at 7:26 AM
gailfdavies.bsky.social
Interesting 🧐 I look forward to taking a look. I’ve been intrigued since Monty Lyman talked about hypnotism in his book the painful truth, though re IBS not pain, so maybe more relevant to some kinds of symptoms?
July 24, 2025 at 7:14 AM
gailfdavies.bsky.social
There may be a one to one relationship between these two propositions!
June 7, 2025 at 12:12 PM
gailfdavies.bsky.social
… both can be unreliable narrators in this context
June 5, 2025 at 6:57 AM