AI in Academia Divides Researchers as UK-EU Partner on AI and Global Tech Advances Accelerate

Emerging Technologies: Key Updates for Science and Research Writers

The use of artificial intelligence (AI) in academic writing is increasing, raising important questions about ethics, collaboration, and technological impact. Here’s a clear summary of recent developments affecting researchers and writers working with digital tools.

Top Digital Technology Stories

• Academics divided on ethical AI use in writing
• UK and EU join forces on AI initiatives
• AI’s growing energy demands in data centres

1. Should AI Write Research Papers?

A recent survey conducted by Nature polled 5,000 academics worldwide on the acceptability of AI-assisted research writing. Most respondents (over 90%) agreed that using AI for editing and translation is acceptable. However, opinions diverged when it came to disclosure requirements and the use of AI in drafting papers.

About 65% found it ethically acceptable to write all or part of a paper with AI, while roughly a third opposed it. When it comes to peer review, more than 60% felt AI shouldn’t perform initial manuscript reviews. Still, 57% supported AI assisting reviewers by answering questions about manuscripts.

Despite a rise in papers showing signs of AI use, only a minority of researchers reported actual hands-on experience with AI tools for writing or editing. This split highlights the ongoing debate about transparency and ethical guidelines in AI-assisted academic work.

2. UK-EU AI Partnership

The UK and European Union have unveiled a plan to boost AI collaboration, especially through shared access to advanced supercomputing resources. UK public research organizations can now apply to connect with Europe’s high-performance computing facilities, fostering joint projects tackling healthcare, energy, and other global challenges.

This partnership aligns with broader research emphasizing AI’s transformative potential across industries and societies. Closer cooperation aims to accelerate AI development while addressing ethical and practical considerations.

3. Brief Updates on Digital Technology Around the Globe

• AI and energy consumption: AI could soon consume nearly half of data centre power due to the demands of training and running advanced models.
• Generative AI in the Global South: Researchers in Africa, Asia, and the Middle East focus on developing AI models tailored to local languages, cultures, and economic realities, prioritizing quality over sheer scale.
• Agentic AI adoption: Nearly half of US tech firms are already using or deploying autonomous AI systems that perform tasks without human input, with expectations these systems will operate independently at scale within two years.
• AI Governance Alliance: A new global alliance brings together leaders from industry, government, academia, and civil society to promote responsible AI design and deployment, emphasizing transparency and inclusivity.
• Healthcare data management: Innovaccer is testing a cloud platform to unify healthcare tools and data, aiming to improve patient care and hospital efficiency.
• Scientific discovery AI: Google DeepMind unveiled AlphaEvolve, an AI combining language models and algorithmic analysis that tackles complex math and science problems.
• Satellite WiFi on UK trains: ScotRail is trialling Starlink satellite technology on six trains to provide onboard WiFi.
• Digital tech and cognitive health: Engaging with devices like smartphones and tablets is linked to a 58% lower risk of cognitive decline in middle-aged and older adults, according to recent research.

4. Insights on AI and Industry

About 90% of businesses recognize autonomous AI as a potential advantage, improving efficiency, decision-making, and scalability. Selecting the right AI model is becoming crucial as these systems gain influence.

Still, with around 2.6 billion people offline, AI training data doesn’t yet capture the full range of human experience. Addressing this gap requires better data infrastructure, collaborative governance, and long-term ethical commitments.

Customer experiences with online shopping remain frustrating for many, but agentic AI systems are poised to transform how brands interact with their audiences, potentially making engagements smoother and more intuitive.

For those interested in enhancing AI skills relevant to research and writing, exploring comprehensive AI training courses can provide practical knowledge on tools, ethics, and implementation strategies. More details on available courses can be found at Complete AI Training.