Expert: Chinese are setting the trend for AI in research

According to the latest "Researcher of the Future" report by Elsevier, a global leader in academic publishing and information analytics, a survey of over 3,200 researchers across 113 countries reveals that artificial intelligence is now fully integrated into the research process and has become a significant driving force in enhancing research efficiency and knowledge innovation.

In an interview with China Daily, Gemma Hersh, Elsevier's senior vice-president of Global Academic Relations, emphasized that understanding researchers' genuine needs during this period of technological transformation is essential for publishers to provide continued support. "If we're going to be able to support researchers to solve the world's problems, we need to really understand what they're thinking… AI is one of those areas," she said.

The report indicates that Chinese researchers are among the most proactive in adopting AI globally, with 69 percent already utilizing AI in their work — higher than the global average of 58 percent — and 66 percent believing AI will enhance research quality. Hersh noted that "China is always ahead when it comes to technology and innovation".

However, rapid development also brings new uncertainties. Only 22 percent of global respondents consider AI trustworthy, while 45 percent feel their AI skills are insufficient. Hersh believes that increasing transparency and traceability is a common need within the research community. "Researchers tell us they want trusted quality content and transparency," she said. She added that Elsevier is providing more reliable technological support through tools such as Scopus AI, ScienceDirect AI and the upcoming Leap Space, stressing that "Generative AI should aid researchers, not replace them".

As AI becomes deeply embedded in research, the "Researcher of the Future" report also highlights the importance of research integrity, with 76 percent of respondents acknowledging publishers' crucial role in upholding it. Hersh stated, "As a trusted publisher, we have the advantage of building AI tools based on content and data researchers can trust."

These insights align closely with the recently released "Concise Guide 3.0 on the Use of AIGC in Academic Publishing" in Beijing. Elsevier's research shows that researchers commonly face challenges such as insufficient AI skills, increasing publication pressure, and an urgent need for reliable citations and high-quality training data.

Hersh remarked, "We know AI has great potential. We also know there are areas that need to be addressed to make sure that potential is reached." She believes that the efforts of the Chinese research community in promoting compliant and responsible AI use are setting a global example.

Huang Linyi and Zhang Haoyu contributed to this story.