Theme: From Ideation to Publication: How Can AI Help in Research?
Topic: Mastering Academic Writing with AI: A Practical Guide to AnswerThis for Researchers

On 1st August 2025, the Center for Mentorship and Career Development (CMCD) at Kaduna State University (KASU), in partnership with AnswerThis, hosted an impactful webinar with 395 participants, focused on the role of AI in academic research. The event provided researchers with insights on how AI tools, particularly AnswerThis, can enhance literature reviews, identify research gaps, and improve overall productivity throughout the research journey.

Key Highlights from the Webinar

• AI for Literature Reviews: Participants learned how AI can aid in constructing well-organized literature reviews and creating a detailed research plan.
• Citation Mapping: AnswerThis’ citation mapping feature visualizes author networks, allowing researchers to track key publications and gaps in their field.
• Identifying Research Gaps: The webinar explored how AI tools can highlight areas lacking scholarly attention, guiding researchers toward impactful research.
• Practical Demonstration: A live demonstration of the AnswerThis platform was conducted, followed by an interactive Q&A where participants engaged directly with the tool.

AI Proficiency Certificates

As part of the collaboration, Ayush Garg, Founder of AnswerThis, issued AI Proficiency Certificates to all webinar participants. This gesture recognized their engagement with AI tools and the critical skills gained through the session, marking the success of the partnership between KASU and AnswerThis.

Ethical Use of AI in Research

Ryan McCarroll, Co-Founder of AnswerThis, highlighted that while AI tools can significantly support academic work, they are not a replacement for critical thinking or original research. Participants were encouraged to use AI responsibly, ensuring that all AI-assisted content is reviewed, edited, and properly cited.

Final Thoughts

This webinar was a significant step in advancing the responsible use of AI in academic research in Nigeria. By integrating AI into the research process, KASU continues to position itself as a leader in AI adoption in education, ensuring that its students and researchers are equipped with future-ready skills.

Watch the Webinar Recording

Missed the webinar? You can catch up on all the tips and tricks for researchers by watching the full session on YouTube here.

Stay tuned for more updates, resources, and future webinars from CMCD!