Annex I

Template of the survey distributed via an AirTable interface

Thank you for taking the time to participate in this important study. It will take no more than 15 minutes of your time.

At Ersilia we strive to build programs adapted to the needs of African scientists, to provide the skills, tools, and resources necessary to tackle pressing health challenges in the continent. Your responses will help us tailor our program to better meet the needs of researchers like yourself, ensuring that it is both impactful and relevant. The information you provide will be used to shape the design of our capacity-building initiatives and to identify key areas where support is most needed. We greatly appreciate your contribution to this effort. Survey results will be aggregated and anonymized.

Demographics

1. Do you identify yourself as:

• Woman

• Man

• Non-binary

• Prefer not to say

2. Your career stage is

• Undergraduate student

• Technician

• MSc student

• PhD student

• Postdoctoral researcher (leading your own research individually)

• Principal Investigator (leading a research group)

• Other:

1. Your field of expertise is... (please select the most appropriate, for example drug discovery would fall under Pharmacy, Immunology would fall under Biology)

• Chemistry

• Biology

• Pharmacy

• Medicine

• Epidemiology

• Climate Science

• Physics

• Mathematics

• Environmental sciences

• Computational sciences

• Social sciences

• Other:

1. Your geographic location is... (where you are currently located/working from):

• West Africa

• Central Africa

• East Africa

• Southern Africa

• Northern Africa

• Middle East

• South East Asia

• Oceania

• Europe

• North America

• Central America

• South America

Current use of AI

1. Have you ever used any Artificial Intelligence tools in your research?

• Yes

• No

1. If yes, have you ever used License-based AI software? (any software that needs a license, even if it was given for free through a grant or program. For example, StarDrop or Maestro)

• Yes

• No

1. If yes, please describe how are you currently using AI in your research:

2. Have you ever used Large Language Models (like GPT or LLAMA) in your research?

• Yes

• No

1. Do you plan to incorporate AI tools into your day-to-day research?

• I am already doing it

• I plan to do it

• I do not plan to use AI

1. What are the main barriers for you to use AI? (select all that apply)

• I am not interested in it

• I do not think it adds value to my research

• Lack of expertise

• Cost

• Interpretability

• Lack of infrastructure (internet connectivity, computational power, electricity...)

• Lack of training materials in local languages

AI Needs

1. How would you rate your knowledge in AI? 1 (No knowledge) - 5 (Excellent, I can work with several AI frameworks, develop and deploy my own models. A 5 would be if you have a PhD-level degree in AI)

2. How would you rate your knowledge in programming (Python, R or other programming language used in your field). 1 (no knowledge) - 5 (Excellent)

3. Have you attended any specific course on AI applications?

• Yes

• No

1. What would you like to get more training on? (Select all that apply)

• Usage of AI models

• Training of AI models

• Programming

• Mathematics and statistics

• AI Ethics

• Other:

1. What activities/support would be helpful to support the incorporation of AI tools in your research? (select all that apply)

• Workshops and training

• Conference attendance

• Networking

• Free credits in cloud computing

• Access to free software

• Easy-to-use AI tools

• One-on-one meetings with experts

• Other:

1. Do you believe AI could help address specific challenges unique to African research contexts, including helping lower the cost of your research? Please explain

2. Do you think AI could accelerate your research timelines?

• Yes

• No

1. Would you be interested in participating in an AI-based training program or workshop?

• Yes

• No

1. If yes, how much time would you be able to commit to participating in the program?

• One day event (8h)

• One week workshop (20h, intensive)

• One month workshop (mid-term engagement, 2-4h per week, with extended support)

• Six month program (long-term engagement, 2-4h per week, with extended support, focused on participant’s project)

1. Would you require financial assistance to participate in such a course?

• Yes

• No

1. If yes, what kind of support and to what end?

• Salary support

• Travel support

• Computational needs

• Caregiving obligations

• Other:

1. Do you foresee any other barriers to participate in longer-term workshops? Please describe:

2. Would you like the training to be:

• In-person

• Online

• Hybrid

1. In your own words, please describe how you envision AI could address the specific research challenges you face in your field.

2. Are there any other challenges or opportunities related to AI in research that you think are important for us to consider?

3. Do you consent to be contacted regarding Ersilia’s training programs in the future?

• Yes

• No

Thank you for participating in our survey!