Frontiers whitepaper finds that artificial intelligence has become embedded in peer review practice

A global survey of more than 1,600 researchers has shown that artificial intelligence has rapidly entered everyday peer review, with Frontiers calling for coordinated policy, training and governance to ensure responsible and transparent use across research publishing

A novel whitepaper from Frontiers has shown that artificial intelligence has rapidly become part of routine peer review, with 53 per cent of reviewers reporting that they now use artificial intelligence tools as part of their assessment activities. The findings, published in Unlocking AI’s untapped potential: responsible innovation in research and publishing, have pointed to a pivotal moment for scholarly communication, as adoption has accelerated faster than formal guidance and policy frameworks.

Drawing on insights from 1,645 active researchers worldwide, the whitepaper has described a research community that has shown strong appetite to use artificial intelligence with confidence and responsibility. While many reviewers have already relied on artificial intelligence to support drafting reviewer reports or to summarise findings, the analysis has suggested that substantial untapped potential remains. In particular, respondents have indicated that artificial intelligence could offer greater support for methodological scrutiny, reproducibility checks and analytical depth if used within clear and consistent governance structures.

“AI is already improving efficiency and clarity in peer review, but its greatest value lies ahead. With the right governance, transparency and training, AI can become a powerful partner in strengthening research quality and increasing trust in the scientific record,” said Elena Vicario, director of research integrity at Frontiers.

The survey has shown broad enthusiasm for more effective and confident use of artificial intelligence across disciplines and regions. Adoption has been especially high among early-career researchers, where 87 per cent reported use, and within rapidly expanding research regions including China, at 77 per cent, and Africa, at 66 per cent. Researchers across all regions have reported perceived benefits that ranged from workload reduction to clearer communication between authors, reviewers and editors. Many respondents have also highlighted the need for clearer and more consistent policy guidance to enable more advanced and responsible applications.

In response to these findings, Frontiers has set out a series of evidence-based policy recommendations aimed at publishers, research institutions, funders and developers of artificial intelligence tools. These recommendations have included mandates to ensure transparency around artificial intelligence use, the integration of artificial intelligence literacy and competency training across the research system, stronger integrity and oversight standards, improved data provenance and auditability, and measures to ensure equitable access to trustworthy artificial intelligence technologies.

Taken together, the recommendations have been positioned as a practical roadmap to align publishing policy with existing researcher practice and to unlock the full potential of artificial intelligence to strengthen scientific rigour and trust in the scholarly record.

“AI is transforming how science is written and reviewed, opening novel possibilities for quality, collaboration and global participation. This whitepaper is a call to action for the whole research ecosystem to embrace that potential. With aligned policies and responsible governance, AI will strengthen the integrity of science and accelerate discovery,” said Kamila Markram, chief executive officer and co-founder of Frontiers.

The report has encouraged publishers, institutions and policymakers to collaborate on sector-wide policy development, shared training pathways and transparent communication frameworks to support responsible and innovative artificial intelligence use throughout the research lifecycle.

Unlocking AI’s untapped potential: responsible innovation in research and publishing has been based on a global survey of 1,645 active researchers conducted in May and June 2025. Frontiers has described it as the first large-scale study to examine artificial intelligence adoption, trust, training and governance across authoring, peer review and editorial workflows.

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