The AI attribution gap: Encouraging transparent acknowledgment in the age of AI

Abstract

The integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI), including large language models (LLMs) like ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, and Mistral, along with specialized tools such as Google DeepMind's AlphaFold 3, is transforming the scientific discovery process. These advancements raise questions about attribution in scientific research, challenging traditional notions about the origins of discovery and the roles of human and machine collaboration. Anonymous surveys indicate that 50 to 70% of academics involved in research use AI tools. Yet, an analysis of 568 articles from three psychology Elsevier journals revealed that approximately 3.5% of these articles published since mid-2023 included an AI declaration. The reluctance of researchers to use or acknowledge AI tools can hinder scientific progress by promoting a culture wary of AI, slowing tool adoption, and limiting shared learning about their uses and limitations. Researchers are encouraged to use AI tools responsibly and detail such use in their acknowledgements to help foster a culture of transparency and innovation in scientific research.