Rethinking AI in Research: A Tool for Progress, Not a Threat

Abstract

Chair: Linda Basile Speakers: David Mainwaring Inga Ulnicane Isabelle Borucki Maaike Geuens Theofanis Exadaktylos Discussant: Sofia Vasilopoulou Recent advances in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) technology present significant opportunities for enhancing the research process. These technologies, however, also pose noteworthy challenges for our scholarly community. AI and ML are reshaping the political science discipline. They have introduced new fields of research – and new ways to tackle the research process. These technologies are also changing the way scholars disseminate knowledge, in education settings and in publication practices. Existing literature has examined the proliferation of AI tools for teaching and learning in political science. Yet the impact of AI on publishing in our field remains underexplored. Questions this Roundtable will address thus include: • What are the benefits and risks AI presents for academic publishing? • How can AI technologies enhance the quality of academic writing? • Do these technologies help break down barriers between native and non-native English speakers? • How can AI tools support the research process, from literature reviews to data collection and analysis? • Could over-reliance on AI impair critical thinking and creativity? • Do emerging technologies pose an increased risk of plagiarism, incorrect references and false information? Or do they offer valuable protection against it? • Could AI undermine trust in peer-reviewed published research? • Do emerging technologies risk weakening the credibility of our scholarly community – and could they even replace peer-to-peer learning? This Roundtable brings together publishers, editors, and leading scholars, to examine the potential benefits of AI innovations, and how we can embrace them. With particular focus on the peculiarities of the political science discipline, speakers will also explore the risks and challenges for academic publishing – including the need for appropriate editorial and ethical policies on AI – to ensure the continuing integrity and credibility of published research.