UGA professor generates AI cartoons for graduate training

University of Georgia research professor Yiping Zhao combined his experience teaching a seminar course for graduate students and his curiosity with artificial intelligence to create a set of ChatGPT cartoonslide desks that help guide doctoral students through their schooling. The cartoons, titled “Thoughts on PhD Training,” can be found on his research website.

“Designed to help PhD students navigate their academic journey — from research milestones to professional development and common challenges — these narrative-based modules offer an engaging and accessible approach to graduate training,” Zhao said.

Zhao compiled numerous lecture notes, reflections and principles from his personal experience as a doctoral student and advisor to doctoral students for over 30 years to create the cartoons. With the goal to make them more accessible and engaging, he worked with ChatGPT to make a visual representation of his teachings. Each set is geared towards an important topic in someone's time as a doctoral student.

Zhao decided to use ChatGPT to create the modules because he found it to be “better than the other [AI] agent(s).” After prompting various generative AI models to create special Chinese poems, he preferred ChatGPTs to the others.

“[AI] is just a tool to help you to be more efficient,” Zhao said.

Ash Kannan, a doctoral student in UGA’s physics department, uses the cartoons and specifically noted the fifth slide deck titled “Research Process” as one he often finds himself going back to.

“The procedure explained in cartoon slide five is a process I closely follow every time I’m faced with a question that needs to be formally researched and answered,” Kannan said. “I also really appreciate the inclusion of cartoons that emphasize the importance of both mental and physical health.”

Zhao has been in communication with the New Media Institute about creating an app using the cartoons. A few weeks ago, he submitted a proposal to create a team for the app, in hopes to implement interactive elements, short videos and animations. The end goal is for various departments and universities to be able to use the app for graduate training with different requirements.

Jiaheng Cui, a doctoral student in physics under the guidance of Zhao, thinks that many people view doctoral students as very intelligent, successful scientists with a lot of new discoveries under their belts, when in reality, doctoral students are just normal people that also do research — a sentiment highlighted in the cartoons.

“We do have several undergrads working with us, and while getting hands-on experience in the lab is important, it’s equally valuable for them to gain an idea of what a PhD entails and to receive guidance on preparing themselves mentally,” Kannan said. “These cartoons will definitely help with that.”

Undergraduates might not fully understand the cartoons, especially due to variations in professor requirements and study habits. Cui still thinks certain cartoons like the one about advisor expectations would be beneficial for undergraduate students to review before deciding to undergo a doctoral journey.

“The beauty of these cartoons is that they highlight the most obvious yet impactful practices that lead to success, without carrying the burden of sounding like generic advice from someone disconnected from what we’re actually going through,” Kannan said. “You can simply go through them, pick the ones that resonate with you and incorporate them into your routine to improve your performance. On top of that, it’s incredibly convenient to have all of these insights gathered in one place.”