I'm really not seeing how you can do PhD level work as an undergrad. You wouldn't have the foundational knowledge necessary to do PhD level work, and you have no idea how much of what you're learning is accurate.
Am I saying I’m as knowledgeable or capable as a Ph.D right now? Absolutely not. There’s just not really a terminology that correctly describes accelerated learning and iteration by use of AI since the technology is so new. I can’t speak for others but as someone who’s a senior in my physics degree, I’ve been actually learning faster by using AI. It’s either a mental crutch or mental accelerator. The difference is in if you want it to completely do work for you or if you try to learn and follow along.
It’s a very under explored and new area right now, how higher learning is effected by using AI as a tool instead of as a cheating device, but historically, new tools like the calculator or computer have done a lot to accelerate learning once new rules are in place.
Sounds like a fun project, I wish you the best. I ran a similar program (independent study that encouraged freshman/sophomore undergraduates to explore using microprocessors, at the time the EE curriculum was completely focused on analog circuit theory and ended at boolean logic) and it went well enough that it eventually became part of the official undergraduate curriculum.
Undergrad research is pretty common and it's not all that hard to get your name on a paper as an undergrad. A lot of undergrads think that doing work that gets your name on a paper, equates to PhD level work.