Transformation of Scientific Peer Review under the Influence of Artificial Intelligence: Opportunities and Risks

The integration of artificial intelligence into peer review of scientific publications is gradually transforming the established manuscript evaluation system. Researchers perceive this transformation as an ambivalent process: it presents opportunities to solve a number of longstanding problems, but it also introduces risks. Mitigating these risks requires a collaborative effort from the academic community and publishers to establish new regulatory rules and principles. In an era of exponential growth in publication volume, AI has become an indispensable assistant for the preliminary assessment of articles, successfully handling a range of routine tasks. This function could be a key factor in ensuring the long-term sustainability of the peer-review system. However, AI decisions lack transparency, pose a threat of overlooking innovative research, and could undermine the role of mentorship in science. Given that AI is being integrated into all areas of scientific activity, it is crucial to develop clear standards and guidelines governing its use in peer review and to update them promptly in response to new technological innovations. This will ensure the justified use of AI in the scientific journal review system and create a barrier against the normalization of practices that erode trust in science.