Even at scientific conferences, audiences sometimes appreciate a drawing that summarises complex issues in an original way. But what if you don’t have the time or experience to draw such illustrations yourself? Faidra Amargianou simply asks ChatGPT to create surprisingly well-functioning cartoons that convey the main messages of her work. Here she explains how she does it.
Faidra is a PhD student in Tristan Petit’s group at HZB. In her final year, she is currently writing her thesis. When she presents her results, whether at conferences or for a press release, she sometimes makes cartoons to communicate the main messages.
Question: Do you have a special relationship with cartoons or graphic novels?
Faidra: No, I wouldn’t say that. I just think it’s part of my job to present my research in the most accessible and creative way possible. And the simple, nice cartoon characters can do just that. Without a lot of text, because the speech bubbles are tiny.
What inspired you to make cartoons?
I don’t have an artistic background, I’m an engineer. But as a student at the Technical University of Delft, I was able to take a course on “Art, Empathy and Ethics”, which I found very stimulating. As an engineer, I believe it is very important to think about the benefits and risks of technology for society. With large language models like ChatGPT, for example, we need to consider issues about copyright and the reproduction of bias.
How do you create a cartoon on ChatGPT?
I have a professional account, because that’s what you need if you want to create images. Then I just describe what I want to show, for example two people talking about research with a lab in the background, one person should be female.
Where are the limitations?
You have to be very precise about your intentions and critically examine the results. Do the characters make sense in their roles? It’s also usually necessary to modify the cartoons in the next step using a programme like Inkscape, which is often quicker than tweaking the prompt. I also think it’s best to produce the cartoon with empty speech bubbles. Otherwise, it takes too many corrections. I then type in the text myself
Do you see a risk of becoming lazy?
No, I don’t see that risk. These models can help you become more efficient. And I think it can also help to lose the fear of the blank page. To be inspired by a first rough draft. But then you have to critically revise and correct it, because every result and every statement has to be just right, that work needs to be done by yourself. The real risk with these models is that they are not transparent. You don’t know exactly what data has been used to create the new content, and the “facts” sound convincing but are not reliable.
The Programme “Art Empathy & Ethics”
For the course Art, Empathy & Ethics, which is part of the track Awareness & Culture, the students have experienced and produce art. Under the guidance of professional artists and using the tools and media suggested by the artist, the students have made an art project around an ethical or a societal problem related to technology. Read more >
Super cool!! Thanks for sharing this modern and inspiring approach and making science more understandable