AI “will play significant role in research process within two years”

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Wiley has announced the release of ExplanAItions, a study that explores artificial intelligence (AI) use and applications across the research process.

Drawing on insights from nearly 5,000 researchers worldwide, the study extensively explores how AI is currently used, where it is positioned to make a significant impact, variations in adoption and interest, and the role publishers can play in supporting researchers’ responsible and evolving use of AI.

Key findings

The study collected feedback on a total of 43 specific AI use cases from across the research process spanning disciplines and geographies, uncovering critical insights that vary by cohort:

  • Current AI use tends to be limited to a few core tasks, but researchers expect a rapid expansion in how AI is employed throughout the research process. 
  • Researchers are not only highly interested in AI, but a majority believe that AI currently outperforms humans in over half of the 43 use cases tested.
  • AI adoption varies across regions but barriers to greater AI use are consistent globally:
    • China (59%) and Germany (57%) lead the way in using AI for their research process compared to 44% adoption among researchers in the rest of the world.
    • Over 60% of researchers globally cite a lack of guidelines and training as a barrier to their increased use of AI.
  • AI aspirations and attitudes vary across fields of study:
    • The fields of Computer Science and Medicine have the most researchers who self-identify as wanting to be early adopters of AI (44% and 38%, respectively, vs. 34% overall).
    • Life Sciences researchers are the most cautious in their approach to AI, with the smallest proportion of early adopters (27% vs. 34% overall) but are on par with other disciplines in terms of having used AI to conduct or write their research. 
  • Across disciplines, career phases, and regions, researchers agree that they see a role for publishers in navigating the future use of AI: around 70% want publishers to provide guidelines on what uses of AI are acceptable in the context of scholarly research and to help them avoid potential errors and pitfalls. 

The ExplanAItions study also highlights notable barriers to AI adoption in spite of openness to AI applications, with 63% of researchers citing either a lack of clear guidelines on accepted AI uses in their field, or the need for training, as key obstacles. 

Listening to authors

In response to 70% of researchers calling for clear guidance on AI usage, Wiley is developing AI guidelines for authors. These guidelines will provide actionable recommendations for the responsible and effective use of AI in authorship and are informed by extensive consultation with authors, editorial staff, and AI experts. The guidelines will launch in the coming months and aim to address the ethical, practical, and technical challenges authors face when navigating the use of AI.

“Our study reveals a striking pattern – while researchers are eager to embrace AI’s benefits, they face significant barriers including a lack of clear guidelines on acceptable use,” said Jay Flynn, Wiley EVP & General Manager, Research & Learning. “We’ve heard researchers loud and clear.  We’re committed to supporting authors as they navigate this transformation and will offer guidance on how to use generative AI tools with greater confidence.” 

Download the report here

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