The future of peer review requires AI support, not AI bans

2026-08-25 | original

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Why This Matters

This article highlights the importance of integrating AI support into the peer review process to address increasing submission volumes and manuscript complexity. Embracing AI tools can enhance review efficiency and quality, benefiting both the scientific community and publishers. However, balancing AI use with confidentiality and accountability remains crucial for trustworthy peer review.

Key Takeaways

AI support can improve review efficiency and quality.
Current bans on AI use hinder progress and are difficult to enforce.
Implementing responsible AI integration requires balancing confidentiality and accountability.

Scientific publishing is facing a challenge. Submission volumes are rising, manuscripts are increasingly complex and it’s becoming harder to get reviewers and timely reviews. Even though artificial-intelligence tools have become a powerful assistant in research, most journals don’t allow reviewers to use them. The rationale is understandable. Confidential manuscripts should not be exposed to public AI systems, and reviewers must remain accountable for their assessment. Yet blanket bans address concerns imperfectly and are hard to monitor.

Nature 656, 1070 (2026)

doi: https://doi.org/10.1038/d41586-026-02631-0

Competing Interests The author declares no competing interests.

Subjects

Explore topics: peer review artificial intelligence nature journal manuscript review research publishing