Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.
You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.
If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.
LET’S START AT the end of his new book, where Luke O’Neill lists off some of the scientific breakthroughs he believes could be achieved in the future, running the gamut from the restoration of extinct species using their DNA to 3D printing of “everything we need, just like the replicator in Star Trek”.
Self-driving planes, trains and automobiles are in the mix too, as is the discovery of extraterrestial life (“surely only a matter of time”).
It should probably come as no surprise that a scientist who declares with breezy optimism the likelihood of many of these developments within 50-100 years, with advances in artificial intellegence (AI) probably speeding their progress, is quite relaxed about the use of AI in the here and now.
“It’s a great invention,” O’Neill says.
“Did you know, when handwriting was invented, Plato, the famous Greek philosopher, criticised it and said, ‘we can’t have students writing things down, because it will stop them thinking’?
“So every time a new technology comes along, we worry about it. In the case of AI, it’s a fantastic teaching tool.”
Unlike physicist Stephen Hawking, who speculated in 2014 that full AI could take off on its own and spell the end of the human race, O’Neill is optimistic the technology can help to solve many of the world’s problems, for example by analysing and interpreting massive data sets to improve drugs or advance our understanding of climate change.
In less existential news for the human race, fears about the impact of AI on the integrity of assessment in education were recently cited by the Minister Norma Foley as justification for postponing some promised Leaving Cert reforms.
But O’Neill tells The Journal he encourages his students at Trinity College Dublin to use AI.
O’Neill is professor of biochemistry at Trinity and Ireland’s most recognisable and prolific science communicator, not least due to his role in explaining in the media the SARS‑CoV‑2 virus, the pandemic it caused and the scientific race to control it.
Actually, why don’t we just ask ChatGPT?
“Luke O’Neill is a well-known Irish biochemist and professor of immunology,” the AI app says.
“As of my last knowledge update in September 2021, he held a position at Trinity College Dublin and was also the chair of biochemistry at the university.
“Luke O’Neill is known for his significant contributions to the field of immunology, particularly in areas related to the innate immune system and the human body’s defence mechanisms against infection and disease.
“He has conducted research on inflammatory and autoimmune diseases and played a key role in advancing our understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying the immune response.
“He is not only a respected scientist but also a communicator of science, frequently sharing his expertise through public lectures, media appearances, and written works to make complex scientific concepts accessible to a wider audience. He’s known for his ability to convey complex immunological topics in an understandable and engaging manner.”
Quite right. Thank you, ChatGPT.
Back to O’Neill’s students.
“I get them to write an essay with AI,” he explains.
“And then I get them to critique it, and stand up in front of me and tell me what they think of that essay, and AI makes mistakes – it might emphasise things in a different way than they might want to.
Advertisement
“I think it’s a fantastic teaching aid. So no, it doesn’t bother me. We shouldn’t be frightened of it.”
He adds that the university checks assignments for plagiarism. But he also notes that students have long “cribbed” using Wikipedia and other sources, and questions the value of “teaching kids to do things that computers [can do]“.
“That’s a hopeless ambition for education. AI can write an essay, so that’s good. Let the AI machine write the essay, then the student has to say what’s in the essay, whether they agree with it, whether there are errors in the essay, and then it turns out, they learn more.”
Not surprisingly for someone who is confident going on national radio to talk about the latest scientific developments, O’Neill sees great value in his students presenting their work.
“I think standing up and talking about things is a wonderful thing to teach people,” he says, adding that he believes it helps them understand, interpret and analyse information.
He suggests that oral assessment is a logical endpoint if AI becomes advanced enough to be able to produce work in students’ own (written) voice.
As for the students’ themselves, O’Neill says the first-years attending his biology lectures have, over the years, become “much more committed and serious”.
“It’s more difficult to get a laugh out of them – maybe becuase they’re dad jokes and they aren’t funny.
“But still, I’ve noticed a bit more seriousness, and of course, that gives rise to stress. There’s an epidemic of stress among university students at the moment. I try to tell them to just try and enjoy it.”
He believes science education in Irish schools is “very good” (although he declares an interest as honorary president of the Irish Science Teachers’ Association, as well as a board member of the planned, and much delayed, National Children’s Science Centre in Dublin).
He praises the “dynamic” curriculum and the fact that students study the subject until at least age 15.
“I think education in science is essential for democracy,” O’Neill says.
“It allows people to make their own minds off about things. If you have to decide on a vaccine or some issue around climate change, you should be informed, to allow you to make your mind up.
All this misinformation, the conspiracy theories – science is a weapon against that.
“That was always my job during the pandemic, because I saw myself as someone who could explain the science to people, to get the other side out.”
His new book, titled To Boldly Go where No Book Has Gone Before: A Joyous Journey Through All of the Science, is a history of scientific discoveries, with quite a few mentions of the contributions of Irish scientists. It’s a theme O’Neill also visited in an earlier book for children, The Great Irish Science Book.
“Ireland’s not famous for science, is it? It’s famous for Guinness, or James Joyce, or whatever. The fact is, in the 19th century in particular, there were some really important Irish scientists who made a big contribution. The trouble is, the victor writes the history. These people often got written out of the history, especially women,” O’Neill says.
So where has the pandemic – two years of thinking and talking about mRNA vaccines, R-numbers, and other complex concepts most of us had never heard of before – left Irish people’s understanding of and trust in science?
“Now that we’re through it, I don’t know. I hope that what’s happened in the pandemic will give people more confidence in science,” O’Neill says.
“Look at this week’s Nobel Prize, that’s gone to the two people who discovered the mRNA for the vaccine.
You’d hope that trust will be similar or enhanced by this nightmare we’ve been through.”
Ever the optimist, he concludes: “All you can do is just keep the message going that science is our friend, and scientists are going to help things, and hope people go with that.”
Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone...
A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article.
Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.
Hamas accepts new 60-day ceasefire proposal, according to source from the group
29 mins ago
649
diplomatic flurry
EU leaders begin arriving at White House ahead of high-stakes talks between Zelenskyy and Trump
Updated
31 mins ago
30.5k
121
Fiosrú
Police Ombudsman investigating incident that caused 'serious harm' to man on O'Connell Street
17 Aug
25.6k
Your Cookies. Your Choice.
Cookies help provide our news service while also enabling the advertising needed to fund this work.
We categorise cookies as Necessary, Performance (used to analyse the site performance) and Targeting (used to target advertising which helps us keep this service free).
We and our 222 partners store and access personal data, like browsing data or unique identifiers, on your device. Selecting Accept All enables tracking technologies to support the purposes shown under we and our partners process data to provide. If trackers are disabled, some content and ads you see may not be as relevant to you. You can resurface this menu to change your choices or withdraw consent at any time by clicking the Cookie Preferences link on the bottom of the webpage . Your choices will have effect within our Website. For more details, refer to our Privacy Policy.
We and our vendors process data for the following purposes:
Use precise geolocation data. Actively scan device characteristics for identification. Store and/or access information on a device. Personalised advertising and content, advertising and content measurement, audience research and services development.
Cookies Preference Centre
We process your data to deliver content or advertisements and measure the delivery of such content or advertisements to extract insights about our website. We share this information with our partners on the basis of consent. You may exercise your right to consent, based on a specific purpose below or at a partner level in the link under each purpose. Some vendors may process your data based on their legitimate interests, which does not require your consent. You cannot object to tracking technologies placed to ensure security, prevent fraud, fix errors, or deliver and present advertising and content, and precise geolocation data and active scanning of device characteristics for identification may be used to support this purpose. This exception does not apply to targeted advertising. These choices will be signaled to our vendors participating in the Transparency and Consent Framework. The choices you make regarding the purposes and vendors listed in this notice are saved and stored locally on your device for a maximum duration of 1 year.
Manage Consent Preferences
Necessary Cookies
Always Active
These cookies are necessary for the website to function and cannot be switched off in our systems. They are usually only set in response to actions made by you which amount to a request for services, such as setting your privacy preferences, logging in or filling in forms. You can set your browser to block or alert you about these cookies, but some parts of the site will not then work.
Social Media Cookies
These cookies are set by a range of social media services that we have added to the site to enable you to share our content with your friends and networks. They are capable of tracking your browser across other sites and building up a profile of your interests. This may impact the content and messages you see on other websites you visit. If you do not allow these cookies you may not be able to use or see these sharing tools.
Targeting Cookies
These cookies may be set through our site by our advertising partners. They may be used by those companies to build a profile of your interests and show you relevant adverts on other sites. They do not store directly personal information, but are based on uniquely identifying your browser and internet device. If you do not allow these cookies, you will experience less targeted advertising.
Functional Cookies
These cookies enable the website to provide enhanced functionality and personalisation. They may be set by us or by third party providers whose services we have added to our pages. If you do not allow these cookies then these services may not function properly.
Performance Cookies
These cookies allow us to count visits and traffic sources so we can measure and improve the performance of our site. They help us to know which pages are the most and least popular and see how visitors move around the site. All information these cookies collect is aggregated and therefore anonymous. If you do not allow these cookies we will not be able to monitor our performance.
Store and/or access information on a device 155 partners can use this purpose
Cookies, device or similar online identifiers (e.g. login-based identifiers, randomly assigned identifiers, network based identifiers) together with other information (e.g. browser type and information, language, screen size, supported technologies etc.) can be stored or read on your device to recognise it each time it connects to an app or to a website, for one or several of the purposes presented here.
Personalised advertising and content, advertising and content measurement, audience research and services development 202 partners can use this purpose
Use limited data to select advertising 162 partners can use this purpose
Advertising presented to you on this service can be based on limited data, such as the website or app you are using, your non-precise location, your device type or which content you are (or have been) interacting with (for example, to limit the number of times an ad is presented to you).
Create profiles for personalised advertising 125 partners can use this purpose
Information about your activity on this service (such as forms you submit, content you look at) can be stored and combined with other information about you (for example, information from your previous activity on this service and other websites or apps) or similar users. This is then used to build or improve a profile about you (that might include possible interests and personal aspects). Your profile can be used (also later) to present advertising that appears more relevant based on your possible interests by this and other entities.
Use profiles to select personalised advertising 126 partners can use this purpose
Advertising presented to you on this service can be based on your advertising profiles, which can reflect your activity on this service or other websites or apps (like the forms you submit, content you look at), possible interests and personal aspects.
Create profiles to personalise content 54 partners can use this purpose
Information about your activity on this service (for instance, forms you submit, non-advertising content you look at) can be stored and combined with other information about you (such as your previous activity on this service or other websites or apps) or similar users. This is then used to build or improve a profile about you (which might for example include possible interests and personal aspects). Your profile can be used (also later) to present content that appears more relevant based on your possible interests, such as by adapting the order in which content is shown to you, so that it is even easier for you to find content that matches your interests.
Use profiles to select personalised content 51 partners can use this purpose
Content presented to you on this service can be based on your content personalisation profiles, which can reflect your activity on this or other services (for instance, the forms you submit, content you look at), possible interests and personal aspects. This can for example be used to adapt the order in which content is shown to you, so that it is even easier for you to find (non-advertising) content that matches your interests.
Measure advertising performance 181 partners can use this purpose
Information regarding which advertising is presented to you and how you interact with it can be used to determine how well an advert has worked for you or other users and whether the goals of the advertising were reached. For instance, whether you saw an ad, whether you clicked on it, whether it led you to buy a product or visit a website, etc. This is very helpful to understand the relevance of advertising campaigns.
Measure content performance 80 partners can use this purpose
Information regarding which content is presented to you and how you interact with it can be used to determine whether the (non-advertising) content e.g. reached its intended audience and matched your interests. For instance, whether you read an article, watch a video, listen to a podcast or look at a product description, how long you spent on this service and the web pages you visit etc. This is very helpful to understand the relevance of (non-advertising) content that is shown to you.
Understand audiences through statistics or combinations of data from different sources 114 partners can use this purpose
Reports can be generated based on the combination of data sets (like user profiles, statistics, market research, analytics data) regarding your interactions and those of other users with advertising or (non-advertising) content to identify common characteristics (for instance, to determine which target audiences are more receptive to an ad campaign or to certain contents).
Develop and improve services 120 partners can use this purpose
Information about your activity on this service, such as your interaction with ads or content, can be very helpful to improve products and services and to build new products and services based on user interactions, the type of audience, etc. This specific purpose does not include the development or improvement of user profiles and identifiers.
Use limited data to select content 53 partners can use this purpose
Content presented to you on this service can be based on limited data, such as the website or app you are using, your non-precise location, your device type, or which content you are (or have been) interacting with (for example, to limit the number of times a video or an article is presented to you).
Use precise geolocation data 67 partners can use this special feature
With your acceptance, your precise location (within a radius of less than 500 metres) may be used in support of the purposes explained in this notice.
Actively scan device characteristics for identification 38 partners can use this special feature
With your acceptance, certain characteristics specific to your device might be requested and used to distinguish it from other devices (such as the installed fonts or plugins, the resolution of your screen) in support of the purposes explained in this notice.
Ensure security, prevent and detect fraud, and fix errors 126 partners can use this special purpose
Always Active
Your data can be used to monitor for and prevent unusual and possibly fraudulent activity (for example, regarding advertising, ad clicks by bots), and ensure systems and processes work properly and securely. It can also be used to correct any problems you, the publisher or the advertiser may encounter in the delivery of content and ads and in your interaction with them.
Deliver and present advertising and content 129 partners can use this special purpose
Always Active
Certain information (like an IP address or device capabilities) is used to ensure the technical compatibility of the content or advertising, and to facilitate the transmission of the content or ad to your device.
Match and combine data from other data sources 98 partners can use this feature
Always Active
Information about your activity on this service may be matched and combined with other information relating to you and originating from various sources (for instance your activity on a separate online service, your use of a loyalty card in-store, or your answers to a survey), in support of the purposes explained in this notice.
Link different devices 70 partners can use this feature
Always Active
In support of the purposes explained in this notice, your device might be considered as likely linked to other devices that belong to you or your household (for instance because you are logged in to the same service on both your phone and your computer, or because you may use the same Internet connection on both devices).
Identify devices based on information transmitted automatically 122 partners can use this feature
Always Active
Your device might be distinguished from other devices based on information it automatically sends when accessing the Internet (for instance, the IP address of your Internet connection or the type of browser you are using) in support of the purposes exposed in this notice.
Save and communicate privacy choices 109 partners can use this special purpose
Always Active
The choices you make regarding the purposes and entities listed in this notice are saved and made available to those entities in the form of digital signals (such as a string of characters). This is necessary in order to enable both this service and those entities to respect such choices.
have your say