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Becca Beets

@beccabeets.bsky.social

681 followers 181 following 6 posts

assistant prof of science communication @ University of Maryland // adventures in #scicomm, #riskcomm, #scipol with a focus on uncertainty, emerging science, and public engagement.

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Becca Beets @beccabeets.bsky.social · 13/06/2025

Fun to see Esther Greussing present at #ICA25 this morning on cross-national perspectives on the risks and benefits of #AI. If you’re interested in this research/data you can check out the related article in @jscicom.bsky.social: jcom.sissa.it/article/pubi...

Speaker presenting at a podium in from of a room of people.

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Becca Beets @beccabeets.bsky.social · 17/04/2025

The study was led by Esther Greussing, and is part of a special issue on #AI in #SciComm in @jscicom.bsky.social. Check it out: jcom.sissa.it/issue/129/in...

Special issue title: "Science Communication in the Age of Artificial Intelligence (Science Communication & AI)"

Abstract: "Artificial Intelligence, and particularly generative AI that produces novel outputs based on user prompts fundamentally impacts science communication. It can assist practitioners in generating content or identifying new ideas and trends, translating and preparing scientific results and publications for different channels and audiences, and enabling interactive exchanges with various user groups. It also comes with pronounced challenges, from errors and “hallucinations” in AI outputs over new digital divides all the way to ethical and legal concerns. The Special Issue brings together cutting-edge research assessing the role of AI in science communication, discussing communication about AI, communication with AI, the impact of AI technologies on the larger science communication ecosystem and potential theoretical and methodological implications."

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Becca Beets @beccabeets.bsky.social · 17/04/2025

In our new study in @jscicom.bsky.social, we explore how the use of generative AI for science-related information search changed from 2023 to 2024 across seven countries. We also examine trust and knowledge about #GenAI. jcom.sissa.it/article/pubi...

PDF of the article "Exploring temporal and cross-national patterns: The use of generative AI in science-related information retrieval across seven countries"

The abstract reads: "This study explores the role of ChatGPT in science-related information retrieval, building on research conducted in 2023. Drawing on online survey data from seven countries—Australia, Denmark, Germany, Israel, South Korea, Taiwan, and the United States—and two data collection points (2023 and 2024), the study highlights ChatGPT’s growing role as an information intermediary, reflecting the rapid diffusion of generative AI (GenAI) in general. While GenAI adoption is a global phenomenon, distinct regional variations emerge in the use of ChatGPT for science-related searches. Additionally, the study finds that a specific subset of the population is more likely to use ChatGPT for science-related information retrieval. Across all countries surveyed, science-information seekers report higher levels of trust in GenAI compared to non-users. They also exhibit a stronger understanding of how (Gen)AI works and, with some notable exceptions, show greater awareness of its epistemic limitations."

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Becca Beets @beccabeets.bsky.social · 11/02/2025

Excited to share the findings from our new study on #GenAI led by Esther Greussing and Lars Guenther. We explore the use of GenAI (specifically ChatGPT) for science-related information search across seven countries. Our research note is online now (and it's open access 😀) doi.org/10.1177/0963...

Screen shot of a pdf of the article "The perception and use of generative AI for science-related information search: Insights from a cross-national study" published in Public Understanding of Science.

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