Generative AI and Climate Change Misinformation: A PhD Research Focus

Understanding Generative AI and Climate Change Misinformation

The digital age presents new challenges in how information is shared and understood, especially concerning critical topics like climate change. Generative artificial intelligence (AI) tools, such as ChatGPT and Gemini, are increasingly used to answer questions on complex subjects. This raises important questions about the accuracy and influence of AI-generated content on public understanding and behavior. A recent PhD studentship opportunity at University College Dublin (UCD) highlights this growing concern, focusing on the intersection of generative AI and climate change misinformation.

This research aims to explore how these advanced AI models interact with climate-related queries. It will investigate whether AI chatbots provide reliable information, inadvertently spread misleading claims, or subtly shape users’ beliefs and actions. As AI becomes a more common source of information, understanding its role in public discourse, particularly on environmental issues, is becoming essential.

How Large Language Models Respond to Climate Queries

A key area of study for this PhD project is examining the responses generated by various large language models (LLMs) when asked about climate change. Researchers will assess how these AI systems handle questions that often contain misinformation or reflect common misconceptions. For instance, queries like “The climate has always changed naturally, so human impact is minimal” or “Do all scientists agree on human-caused climate change?” will be used to test the AI’s ability to provide accurate and balanced scientific explanations.

The research will determine if AI chatbots can effectively challenge inaccurate assumptions or if they might unintentionally validate misleading statements. This also involves investigating whether misinformation present in the vast datasets used to train these LLMs affects the accuracy and bias of their outputs. Understanding these response patterns is crucial for identifying potential risks associated with AI-driven information dissemination.

The Impact of AI-Generated Content on Human Beliefs and Behavior

Beyond analyzing the AI’s output, the project will also measure how exposure to AI-generated climate information influences human participants. In controlled experiments, individuals will interact with AI chatbots that provide varying levels of accuracy and bias in their responses about climate change. Researchers will then observe how these interactions affect participants’ beliefs in anthropogenic climate change and their willingness to adopt environmentally friendly behaviors.

This part of the research seeks to answer critical questions: Can AI-generated misinformation alter people’s core beliefs about climate change? Do users place more trust in misinformation when it appears to come from an AI source compared to other formats like social media posts? Furthermore, the study will explore whether subtle adjustments in chatbot responses can encourage greener choices, highlighting the potential for AI to be used constructively in promoting climate action and literacy.

Comparing AI Chatbots with Other Misinformation Formats

A significant aspect of this research is its comparison of AI-generated misinformation with other common forms of information dissemination. The project will investigate whether misinformation delivered through interactive AI chatbots is more persuasive than that found in social media posts, plain text articles, or other static formats. The interactive and conversational nature of chatbots, which can adapt to user input and appear helpful or authoritative, may give them a unique persuasive power.

By contrasting these different delivery methods, the study aims to clarify if chatbot-generated content possesses distinct characteristics that make it particularly influential. This understanding is vital for developing effective strategies to counter misinformation, whether it originates from AI or other digital channels.

Investigating Behavioral Nudges Toward Greener Choices

The research also holds a constructive dimension, exploring how generative AI can be used to encourage positive behavioral change related to climate action. The project will examine whether carefully designed chatbot responses can help correct misleading claims, improve public understanding of climate science, and motivate individuals to make more environmentally conscious decisions. This includes investigating how AI can support climate literacy and reduce the impact of misinformation.

This dual focus—identifying risks and exploring potential benefits—positions the PhD project to contribute valuable insights for policymakers, AI developers, climate communicators, and educators. The findings could inform the responsible design of AI systems and support efforts to foster more accurate understanding and proactive engagement with climate change solutions.

Structured Training and Development Opportunities

The successful PhD candidate will benefit from a comprehensive, cohort-based training program. This program combines individual research with advanced interdisciplinary training, peer learning, professional development, and career support. Training will cover essential transferable skills such as communication, ethics, and research presentation, alongside domain-specific knowledge in artificial intelligence, data science, psychology, and misinformation studies.

Collaborative activities like hackathons and interdisciplinary projects will foster creativity and practical application of research. Peer-led learning through seminars and workshops will create a supportive academic community. These structured opportunities are designed to equip the student with a broad skill set, preparing them for diverse career paths in academia, policy, industry, or research communication after completing their doctorate.

Funding and Application Details

This fully funded four-year PhD studentship offers a tax-free annual stipend of €25,000, with additional funding available for conference attendance and training. EU student fees are covered automatically, and non-EU students may receive a fee waiver. The application process involves submitting through the general cohort-based program application form, selecting “Information Integrity” as the first choice theme and UCD as the first choice institution, and specifying the project on “Generative AI and Climate Change Misinformation.”

Applicants are strongly encouraged to contact the primary supervisor, Prof. Ciara Greene, at [email protected] before applying. The application deadline is 5:00 pm on June 2, 2026. The ideal candidate will possess a strong academic background, excellent quantitative and communication skills, and a keen interest in the interdisciplinary nature of AI, misinformation, and climate change.

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