Beyond the Hype: AI in Qualitative and Historical Research – May 13, 2026

Session Description

This event brings together leading researchers from across the social sciences and humanities to explore the practical realities of integrating AI into qualitative and historical research. Experts from a variety of fields, including sociology, history, geography, and political science, will provide candid, nuts-and-bolts accounts of how they use AI tools in their work, from leveraging large language models to process archival texts and spatial data, to using generative AI for coding and classification of qualitative data, to grappling with document digitization and data linkage. They will address the practical challenges that arise at every stage of the research process, including crafting effective prompts, interpreting and validating AI-generated output, detecting bias, and knowing when AI helps and when it gets in the way.

This event is co-organized by the Centre for The Study of the United States (Munk School of Global Affairs & Public Policy) and Data Science Institute, University of Toronto.