AI Adoption in Peer Review: A Growing Trend and Policy Challenge

A survey of 1,600 researchers across 111 countries reveals that over half now use AI for peer review, often against guidelines, with many employing it to assist in writing reports, summarizing manuscripts, and detecting misconduct. Despite its growing use, concerns about confidentiality, accuracy, and the need for responsible implementation persist, prompting publishers like Frontiers to develop policies and in-house AI tools. Experiments show AI can mimic review structure but lacks the ability to provide constructive feedback or detailed critique, highlighting both the potential and limitations of AI in peer review.