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The rise of artificial intelligence is casting a shadow over the future of academic research, prompting concerns among aspiring scholars. A recent political science graduate student, nearing the completion of their master’s degree, has voiced anxieties about pursuing a PhD and a career in academia given AI’s increasing capabilities in research. The student questions the long-term viability of such a path and is considering alternative fields or the acquisition of new, AI-resistant skillsets. The student’s concerns were initially shared and discussed on a Reddit thread, highlighting a broader unease within the academic community regarding the potential impact of AI on research careers.