Granite採択学生インタビュー

Information Science

Granite 情報科学領域

ソーシャル・コンピューティング研究室 博士課程1年Gao Zhiweiさん

あなたの研究テーマについて教えてください。What is your research theme?

My research focuses on developing a chatbot that understands and generates “salty language” using large language models (LLMs), while ensuring adherence to ethical standards. “Salty language” refers to informal, humorous, or emotionally expressive speech that may include profanity but is not inherently offensive. This type of language plays a significant role in emotional communication and everyday interactions, yet current LLMs often avoid it due to concerns about ethical and security compliance.

The research involves constructing a specialized dataset to distinguish salty language from genuinely offensive expressions, fine-tuning LLMs through instruction training to generate context-appropriate salty language, and refining the model based on manual evaluation and user feedback.

The academic significance of this work lies in its exploration of the “gray areas” of language that challenge conventional boundaries of toxicity detection. It offers valuable insights into the subtleties of human communication and how LLMs can be adapted to better reflect these complexities.

The potential societal impact includes creating more authentic and emotionally engaging AI interactions, especially in fields like language therapy and education. By addressing ethical and cultural considerations, this research aims to build trust in AI and promote its use in sensitive, human-centric applications.

なぜ博士課程へ進学しましたか?Why did you decide to pursue a doctoral program?

I decided to pursue a doctoral program because of my desire to explore the complexities of natural language processing (NLP) beyond what I achieved during my master’s studies. While working on offensive language detection, I encountered a significant gap: distinguishing offensive language from non-offensive expressions of profanity, such as emotionally charged but harmless language. This challenge intrigued me and revealed the limitations of current NLP systems in capturing the subtleties of human communication.

A master’s program provided a strong foundation, but I felt it did not allow for the depth of exploration or innovation I wanted to achieve. I was particularly drawn to interdisciplinary approaches that integrate insights from sociology and psychology into NLP, and I realized that pursuing a doctoral program would enable me to engage in advanced, original research in this area. My ultimate goal is to create AI technologies that better understand and reflect human emotions and cultural contexts, and a doctoral program offers the time, mentorship, and resources to make meaningful contributions to both academia and society.

Graniteの支援で役立っている・助かっていることを教えてください。Please share what has been helpful or beneficial through the support provided by Granite.

The support provided by Granite has been invaluable in numerous ways throughout my doctoral journey. Granite has offered three meaningful programs: Overseas Laboratory Stay, Global Visionary Bridge, and Overseas English Training. No matter which one we choose, all of these programs have provided tremendous support for our doctoral journey, offering unique opportunities to broaden our horizons and gain valuable insights. These experiences have not only enriched our research but also inspired new ideas and perspectives that have significantly shaped our academic work.

Additionally, Granite organizes other valuable activities, such as the Interdisciplinary Workshop held in November 2024. This workshop has created a platform for scholars from diverse fields to exchange ideas, learn from each other, and share their research progress. Such initiatives foster collaboration and innovation, making Granite’s support indispensable for both personal and professional growth during my doctoral journey.

将来の目標、もしくはあなたが胸に秘めた野望があればぜひ教えてください。Please share your future goals or any ambitions you hold close to your heart.

My future goal is to advance the field of natural language processing (NLP) by developing AI systems that better understand and reflect the nuances of human communication, including emotional and cultural contexts. I aspire to create technologies that address real-world challenges, such as enhancing emotional engagement in human-AI interactions or supporting language therapy. Beyond research, I aim to contribute to ethical AI development, ensuring these technologies are inclusive, culturally sensitive, and socially impactful. Ultimately, I hope my work will bridge the gap between technical innovation and meaningful societal benefits.

博士課程進学を考えている人へのメッセージをください。Please share a message for those considering pursuing a doctoral program.

For those considering a PhD, ensure it aligns with your passion and long-term goals. Gain research experience to understand the challenges and rewards, and talk to current students for insights. Reflect deeply on your motivation and prepare for a journey that requires curiosity, resilience, and dedication to contribute meaningfully to your field.