# Wiley Calls on Publishers to Adopt a Forward-Thinking Stance on AI Guidelines in Research
## Grasping the Impact of AI in Academic Publishing
With the ongoing advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) technologies, their significance in academic research and publishing is attracting considerable interest. To meet the concerns and requirements of researchers regarding AI, the prominent publishing company Wiley recently carried out an extensive study named *ExplanAItions*, polling nearly 5,000 researchers from diverse disciplines, locations, and career paths. The study sought to evaluate existing AI usage among researchers, their future aspirations, and the role that publishers should undertake in offering guidance and training.
The results from the study indicated that, although the current use of AI remains limited, there is a pronounced eagerness among researchers to cultivate AI-related skills. Nonetheless, ambiguity and a deficiency of clear guidance were pinpointed as significant obstacles preventing researchers from fully harnessing AI technologies in their tasks.
## The Importance of Definite AI Guidelines in Publishing
A key insight from the survey revealed that 70% of researchers indicated a need for publishers to offer explicit guidelines on permissible AI use in scholarly research. Numerous researchers mentioned their uncertainty regarding where to find support or credible advice on effectively utilizing AI in their academic pursuits. This prompted Wiley to urge publishers to adopt a proactive stance in developing policies and guidelines that assist researchers in navigating the shifting role of AI in academia.
Even though publishers may not typically be regarded as the primary support mechanism for AI integration in research, Wiley highlighted the critical need for them to assume an active role in shaping AI-related policies and sharing this knowledge with the academic community. By doing this, publishers can enable researchers to make informed choices about AI usage while upholding strict ethical and quality standards in scholarly publishing.
## Wiley’s Tri-Level AI Framework
To aid researchers in comprehensively understanding how AI can be incorporated into their work, Wiley unveiled a tri-level framework:
1. **Act** – This sector encompasses AI applications that are already making a difference in research, such as manuscript preparation, writing support, and managing large datasets. These use cases are immediately actionable and show considerable interest among researchers.
2. **Watch** – These signify imminent opportunities where AI capabilities are evolving swiftly. Researchers are particularly keen on AI’s potential for generating predictions, recommendations, and automating essential but repetitive tasks, which can free up time for more intricate academic work.
3. **Envision** – This category includes bolder applications that are still speculative, such as employing AI to enhance research methodologies, facilitate collaboration, or optimize the peer review process. While these applications are presently not feasible, they represent thrilling prospects for the future of AI in academic research.
## The Road Ahead for AI in Research
Wiley recognized that the landscape of AI in research publishing is continuously changing and requires ongoing observation and adjustment. The company reaffirmed its dedication to monitoring AI-related advancements and refining guidelines based on emerging trends and technological innovations. Additionally, Wiley emphasized that while AI can serve as a powerful tool, certain areas in research require that “human expertise and capability cannot be replaced.”
As AI further assimilates into the research ecosystem, it becomes apparent that publishers must assume responsibility for guiding researchers on ethical and effective AI utilization. The necessity for training, transparency, and clearly defined policies is crucial, as researchers navigate the opportunities and challenges that AI brings to academic discovery.
By proactively tackling AI-related issues, publishers like Wiley can contribute to fostering a research environment that welcomes innovation while maintaining the integrity and trustworthiness of scholarly publishing.