“Raising awareness of the power of language”

Giorgio Iemmolo, AI models can produce texts with just a single click. Why are language skills still necessary?

Giorgio Iemmolo: Language skills aren’t just about producing correct texts. It’s also about your ability to structure your thoughts and develop arguments. When a machine delivers the finished output, that thought process is lost. That’s particularly problematic in a university setting. It’s also not enough to hold a correct presentation or write a correct text. A sentence may be grammatically correct, but its meaning might be different from what I intended – depending on the situation.

But AI models exist and are also used at UZH (see box below). We can’t turn a blind eye to that.

Giorgio Iemmolo: No, of course not. I think it’s important to show people how generative AI works: it uses probabilities to calculate which word comes next in a text. But we should think about when it makes sense to use AI. As far as I’m concerned, large language models such as ChatGPT can be useful for generating keywords on a specific topic or checking a text. But AI shouldn’t replace your own cognitive process.

You head the Language Center, which recently established an Academic Communication Center (ACC). What makes academic communication unique?

Giorgio Iemmolo: Academic communication has specific conventions regarding argumentation and rhetoric that differ from those in everyday communication. For example, texts from the natural sciences tend to use the passive voice when describing methods and results. The focus is on what was done, not who did it. Understanding this allows you to communicate correctly and appropriately for the situation. Academic communication is often complex, and the complexity of the subject matter must be preserved. The challenge lies in communicating that complexity in a way that is understandable.

What tips for effective communications do you regularly give to university staff and students?

Giorgio Iemmolo: My most important advice is this: Make a point of practicing your language skills, both in writing and speaking. Proficiency doesn’t develop on its own, but as a result of regularly studying texts, linguistic conventions and communication situations. That’s why it makes sense to focus on training these skills. Those who understand their audience and the appropriate register for a given context will communicate more persuasively – not only in academia, but also in professional and everyday life.

What does the Academic Communication Center offer?

Giorgio Iemmolo: The ACC helps students and researchers develop their communication skills. We offer semester-long courses, workshops and individual consultations on topics such as academic writing, presentation skills and academic publishing. Additionally, the ACC also offers coaching sessions and custom programs for doctoral candidates and research groups. The key to success, whether you’re writing a Bachelor’s thesis, a conference paper, a grant application or a management report, is to express yourself precisely and argue your case effectively. This is the essence of an academic education. That’s why we aim to raise awareness – among students and staff – of the power of language.