Dr. Kengo Suzuki, a renowned expert in microalgae research, presented an insightful lecture at Waseda University on November 22, 2023. The lecture was centered around the theme "The Potential of Innovation Related to Microalgae Euglena." This report provides a detailed summary of the key aspects of his lecture, with a particular focus on the integration of emerging technologies, such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), in exploring the potentials of microalgae, especially Euglena.

The Lecture Overview

Dr. Suzuki's lecture intricately wove the advancements in AI technology, particularly the developments in 2023, with the research on microalgae Euglena.

During his presentation, he explained how euglena powder can be used in industry. In addition, in relation to ergothioneine, the content of which increases with the addition of euglena when producing fermented foods, he introduced examples of research related to ergothioneine, including ChatGPT and other AI tools for selecting research themes and preparing reports using GPT and other AI tools as examples.

AI in Research

Dr. Suzuki shared instances where AI tools were employed to investigate Ergothioneine. He cautioned about the phenomenon of "hallucination" in AI, stressing the importance of careful usage in research fields. However, he acknowledged AI's proficiency in generating introductory and contemplative sections of research papers, often hitting the mark in terms of quality and relevance.

Advice for Young Researchers

A key recommendation from Dr. Suzuki was for young researchers to blend their study topics with generative AI technologies. By doing so, they could carve out a unique niche for themselves, demonstrating their presence in their respective fields. Dr. Suzuki emphasized that such an amalgamation of new technology with existing research domains could enable young professionals to establish a significant presence in their industries from an early stage.

Conclusion

Dr. Suzuki's lecture was not only an eye-opener regarding the untapped potential of microalgae Euglena but also served as a guiding light for the next generation of researchers. His insights into the strategic use of AI in research and career development provided valuable guidance for young aspirants aiming to leave a mark in their respective fields.