Development of a New Faculty Designation Through Artificial Intelligence (AI): The Pre-Emeritus Professor for Continuity and Knowledge Transfer

In academic institutions, the title of "Emeritus Professor" is a revered recognition, typically granted upon retirement, honoring a professor’s long and distinguished career. However, the transition from active faculty member to emeritus often happens abruptly, creating challenges for succession planning, knowledge transfer, and maintaining continuity in research and teaching. This work explores the potential introduction of a new title in academia, the "Pre-Emeritus Professor," and its implications for more structured succession planning and a smoother knowledge transition within academic institutions. The development of this proposed faculty position was supported using ChatGPT, an AI Large Language Model (LLM), which facilitated the exploration of key considerations, consequences, and potential benefits associated with its implementation.