AI Tools for R

Day 3 - Introduction to Data Analysis with R

Selina Baldauf

Freie Universität Berlin - Theoretical Ecology

March 16, 2026

Motivation

  • Speed up repetitive tasks
  • Learn new methods and languages
  • Support debugging, documenting, refactoring, …

AI tools for programming

  • Browser-based chat bots (ChatGPT, etc.)
  • Web-tools for data analysis (Data analyst GPT, JuliusAI, …)
  • IDE-integrated AI tools (GitHub Copilot, Claude Code, …)

Integrated tools

  • know your project structure
  • see your code and console output
  • respond in context while coding

Github Copilot

  • https://github.com/features/copilot
  • Basic idea: Integrate directly into your IDE
  • Two modes:
    • Real-time code suggestions (inline as you type)
    • Chat with the AI
  • RStudio only supports the real-time code suggestions

Inline code suggestions

Available for RStudio and Positron

  • Copilot tries to predict what you want to do next
  • Suggestions are based on the context
    • Previous code
    • Comments
    • Variable and function names
    • …

Get better suggestions

  • Provide context
    • Add top level comments explaining the purpose of the script
    • Name variables and functions properly
    • Copy-paste sample code and delete it later
  • Be consistent
    • “Garbage in, garbage out”
    • Have a nice and consistent coding style
  • Acceptance discipline
    • Don’t auto-accept everything
    • Review and modify suggestions if needed

Nice side effect of using Copilot: More good-practice coding

Chat with GH Copilot about your code

Only available in Positron or VS Code

  • Open a chat window
  • The AI can access your files and projects
  • The AI can make tailored suggestions based on your project
  • Great for
    • Debugging
    • Getting explanations
    • Getting good-practice suggestions
    • …

How to get GitHub Copilot

See this website for step-by-step guide and more information.

It’s really easy, but you need:

  • GitHub Account
  • Active GH Copilot subscription
    • Limited free tier available (2,000 completions/month)
    • Pro plan: 10$ per month (free for academics with an educational account)
  • IDE that supports Copilot

Claude Code

  • AI coding agent that runs in your terminal
  • Pro plan: ~17€ per month
  • Works with any IDE (RStudio, Positron, VS Code, …)
  • Can read and edit files, run R code, use git, …

What makes it different from Copilot?

  • Works at the project level, not just single files
  • You describe a task and it autonomously works through it
  • Great for larger tasks like refactoring, writing tests, or creating reports

Limitations

  • AI can suggest outdated functions and code
  • AI can suggest patterns that are common but not best practice
  • AI predicts plausible code, not necessarily correct code
    • Code can be subtly wrong or inappropriate
  • Risk of over-reliance

Responsible use

  • Don’t treat AI as an authority: review and double-check
  • Use version control as a safety net: review and trace changes
  • Privacy: Code, comments and console output may be shared with model providers
    • Beware if you have sensitive data
  • Check institutional and journal guidelines
  • Transparency: Disclose your use of AI tools
  • You are responsible for your scientific output