Used intelligently, AI bridges gaps in research capacity, say the writers.
Jake Krige and Sandie Thomson
Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming society, much like past technological shifts, such as the printing press and the internet. AI writing tools are now used by nearly a billion people globally every week for drafting, refining text and correcting delinquent grammar. However, when available internet information is limited, AI’s tendency to generate “hallucinations,” or false information, poses significant risks if these fabrications are accepted as gospel by unwitting or careless authors. The unfettered use of AI is concerning because these same tools are now embedded in academia, where the ethical and legal consequences of fabricated data can be profound.
The increasing role of AI in content generation raises important questions about authorship, accountability, and transparency. International editorial bodies are clear: AI cannot qualify as a co-author. Authorship requires accountability, consent, and intellectual contribution, qualities only humans possess.
Professor Jake Krige.
