Is Data Analytics with AI Really Turning Professors into Instant Coding Experts

Dakota Wesleyan biologist calls the change a light-year leap as campus rolls out new AI tools.

Data Analytics with AI is rapidly changing the way scientists work, and one professor at Dakota Wesleyan University believes the technology is transforming research in ways that were once impossible to imagine.

Brian Patrick, a biology professor at the university, has spent years studying the mitochondrial genomes of spiders. His research involves examining enormous amounts of genetic information to understand how these genomes function and evolve across different arachnid species. Traditionally, processing such complex data required advanced coding skills, expensive software, and countless hours of manual work.

That changed when Patrick began experimenting with artificial intelligence tools to generate custom programming code for his research. After testing several AI systems, he found that combining Boodlebox, an education-focused AI collaboration platform, with the premium version of Claude gave him the flexibility and accuracy he needed for large-scale scientific analysis.

The new approach allows him to create programs containing thousands of lines of code that can process huge biological datasets and support publication-quality research. Tasks that once seemed too complex or time-consuming are now within reach.

A New Era for Data Analytics With AI

Patrick’s work highlights several practical benefits of AI in scientific research:

• Faster analysis of large datasets

• Custom-built tools for highly specific research questions

• Reduced dependence on costly commercial software

• Greater opportunities for collaboration through open-source platforms such as GitHub

He is preparing detailed documentation for his programs so other researchers can eventually access and use them, helping expand collaboration within the scientific community.

Balancing AI Innovation With Human Thinking

While Patrick is enthusiastic about AI’s research potential, he is also taking a careful approach in the classroom. To ensure students develop their own critical-thinking skills, he has introduced more handwritten, device-free assignments during class sessions.

The university plans to make Boodlebox available to all students in the upcoming academic year, reflecting a broader effort to explore responsible AI adoption in higher education.

As CIO Bulletin observes, Patrick’s experience demonstrates that Data Analytics With AI is no longer just a technology trend. It is becoming a practical tool that can accelerate discovery, expand access to advanced research methods, and help shape the future of science and education.