Academia

January 28, 2025

Most academic AI tools provide little value to actual academics

Updated 4th May 2025 There has recently been an explosion of AI tools that claim to help academics accelerate scientific research. In general, I love this development. If AI can increase the rate of scientific discovery, that’s probably a good thing for humanity. But do these tools live up to the hype? Elicit, Consensus, SciSpace… Continue reading

Academia, AI, research

AI, chatgpt, Large language models
November 21, 2023

Keeping up to date with Generative AI developments: my list of creators to follow

Last reviewed and updated 11th January 2026 Since 2023 I’ve been giving AI advice and coaching to non-profits and individuals making the world a better place. I advise on tools, AI strategy and culture, Big picture ideas and simple quick wins. As my wife will confirm with a roll of her eyes, I’ll happily talk… Continue reading

Academia, AI

chatgpt, Image generator models, Large language models
September 30, 2023

An idea for using large language models to help reviewers of academic papers

Have you ever read a sentence in a paper like: “Studies show that X is a thing (Smith et al.; Jones et al.; Richards et al., ….)“ The author makes a factual statement, and backs it up with a TON of references. Science at its best. Well, maybe. How do we know those references actually… Continue reading

Academia, AI

Large language models, peer review

About Me

Hi, I’m Thomas Manandhar-Richardson.

People call me Richie.

I’m a data scientist, behavioural scientist, Effective Altruist, animal advocate and Salsa dancer!

I’m passionate about ending the factory farming of animals. I believe that in the coming decades we can transform our food system so that everyone can eat healthier, cheaper, tastier food than now, that is better for the environment and involves no animal suffering.

I’m the Director of Research at Bryant Research, where I use data and behavioural science to help organisations make this bold, bright future a reality.

I am also the Lead Data Consultant for Greener By Default. We help caterers in universities, hospitals and events companies introduce sustainable, healthy, cheap and tasty plant-forward menus. I have taken their analytics function from 0 to a full analytics pipeline that has been used to help 25 clients, incorporating cutting edge LLMs to achieve analyses not previously possible pre-ChatGPT.

Former data science consultant at Peak.ai where I built machine learning models for some of the biggest fashion and sportswear companies in the world, including Nike and BoohooMan.

I love giving talks and seminars. I am passionate about breaking down complex topics in AI, behavioural science and food systems in a way that anyone can understand and get excited about.

I give generative AI advice to non-profits and impactful individuals, usually for free. Let me know if you’d like to chat!

Academia

Most academic AI tools provide little value to actual academics

Keeping up to date with Generative AI developments: my list of creators to follow

An idea for using large language models to help reviewers of academic papers