The uncritical adoption of AI in science is alarming – We need guard rails
The rapid adoption of artificial intelligence in scientific research raises significant concerns about its impact on inquiry and training. While AI tools have increased productivity, they may also narrow research focus and diminish the quality of scientific output. There is an urgent need for guidelines to ensure that the integration of AI does not compromise the development of essential skills among early-career researchers.
- ▪The scientific community is adopting AI tools, particularly large language models, at an astonishing speed.
- ▪AI-assisted research has been linked to a narrower focus on established questions and potentially lower scientific merit.
- ▪Concerns about the erosion of training opportunities for early-career researchers remain largely unresolved.
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COMMENT 19 May 2026 The uncritical adoption of AI in science is alarming — we urgently need guard rails Artificial intelligence is rapidly accelerating scientific output, but risks narrowing inquiry, weakening judgement and undermining how scientists are trained. By Lisa Messeri0 & M. J. Crockett1 Lisa Messeri Lisa Messeri is an associate professor of anthropology at Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut. View author publications Search author on: PubMed Google Scholar M. J. Crockett M. J. Crockett is a professor of psychology at Princeton University in Princeton, New Jersey. View author publications Search author on: PubMed Google Scholar Email Bluesky Facebook LinkedIn Reddit Whatsapp X Computerized automation can hamper the acquisition of skills and expertise.
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