Integration of data visualization and Generative AI to accelerate data driven decision: a case study on research topic trend analysis

Data visualization has been used to communicate insightful findings and decision making to the target community for many years. In this digital era, the widespread adoption of Generative Artificial intelligence (GenAI) technology and Large Language Models (LLMs) have provided new approaches for data driven decision making. To study the advantages of data visualization and GenAI toward decision making, this paper created an application which includes a dashboard and a chatbot to investigate research topics trend analysis for Hong Kong universities and global patterns. The potential of utlize data visualization and GenAI technology to accelerate data driven decision making for academic development were discussed. The results indicated that data visualization explores research topics data by revealing patterns and trends over years while GenAI technology helps interact with research topics data conversationally to draw actionable conclusions and recommendations. Leveraging the use of GenAI technology for university management and individual researchers identify potential research topics and talent acquisition, improves the accuracy and effectiveness of decision-making process, and minimizes time expenditure to devote attention to other strategic and career planning.