In 2025, researchers used more artificial intelligence than in 2024. But this is not necessarily good news, as highlighted in the preview of an annual study published in the academic journal Wiley. Because the more they use AI, the less they trust it, he reveals.
Among the more than 2,400 researchers surveyed, 84% used these types of tools “in all aspects of their work” this year, up from 57% last year. More precisely, 62% used them specifically for research and publication, up from 45% in 2024. It is mainly those based in Asia-Pacific (72%) who used these tools for these purposes, particularly in China (75%).
The same is true for researchers in the fields of commerce, economics and finance (70%), those at the beginning of their careers (70%) and those specialized in physical sciences (66%).
Use and growing concerns
The study further reveals that the majority (80%) use tools like ChatGPT because they are the most accessible and not because they are the best for science and research. Only 25% have tried at least one AI software designed specifically for research. Systems that, unlike the first, are not free.
But the more researchers use AI, the more they worry about certain aspects of it, starting with hallucinations or the risk of these tools fabricating information. 64% express fears about this issue, compared to 51% last year.
This is one of the reasons why they don’t use it as much as they would like. Security and privacy (58% in 2025 vs. 47% in 2024), ethical use of AI (57% vs. 54%), and lack of transparency about how these tools work or train (47% vs. 46%) are also barriers to greater use by them.
This increase in the use of AI has also allowed researchers to see what these systems are really capable of. While 53% thought these tools exceeded human capabilities last year, less than a third share this opinion in 2025. Despite this, the majority (85%) said AI has helped them be more effective. It also allowed them to improve the quality of their work (73%) or focus on more important tasks (68%).
Source: BFM TV
