A new international study shows artificial intelligence is reshaping scientific publishing, with large language models increasingly assisting writing across disciplines. The study, highlighted by Nature Human Behaviour and summarized for the public, reveals that AI-generated text is influencing abstracts and introductions in many fields, including computer science. The shift has sparked excitement for faster writing and concerns about accuracy, originality, and access to AI tools for researchers in non-native English-speaking countries.
For Thailand, the findings carry clear implications. The Thai academic community faces a rapid rise in AI-assisted writing alongside ongoing policies and resource gaps. Thai researchers, students, and policymakers must navigate how to adopt AI tools responsibly while preserving linguistic clarity, scholarly rigor, and equitable access. The challenge is particularly pronounced given English-language publication expectations and the limited number of native English-speaking researchers in the country.
An international analysis examined more than a million papers and preprints from sources such as arXiv and bioRxiv, tracking changes in language use from 2020 to 2024. Researchers found notable AI involvement in core manuscript sections. In computer science, about one-fifth of abstracts and nearly one-fifth of introductions show AI modification by 2024, up from a few percent in 2022. Other technical fields show substantial increases in AI usage for abstracts and introductions, while mathematics remains more conservative due to its symbolic reasoning demands. Even top journals report meaningful AI-influence levels.
Drivers behind AI adoption include the pressure to publish quickly, especially in competitive fields, and longer, wordy manuscripts that benefit from language refinement. Access disparities are evident: non-native English-speaking authors often rely on AI to improve fluency and clarity to reach global audiences. Data indicates non-English-speaking regions tend to use AI-assisted writing more, reflecting language-support needs in international visibility.
The evolution raises several challenges. Detecting AI-generated text remains imperfect, which can affect fairness and trust in the scholarly record. For Thailand, this creates tricky questions about how to assess originality when AI support focuses on language rather than substantive content. Thai researchers must balance the benefits of clearer communication with the risk of uneven access and potential erosion of critical writing skills among students.
Experts emphasize a cautious, transparent approach. There is a call for clear disclosure of AI usage in manuscripts, alignment with international best practices, and ongoing evaluation of how AI affects reading experience, citations, and research diversity. Policymakers and universities in Thailand are already considering guidelines that mirror leading practices, while ensuring accountability and fair access for non-native English speakers.
Within Thailand, scholars and educators discuss both opportunities and risks. Proponents argue that AI writing tools can democratize publishing by lowering language barriers, potentially increasing Thai researchers’ international presence. Critics warn about potential skill erosion, over-reliance on technology, and the creation of a two-tier system based on access rather than merit. The conversation mirrors global debates centered on academic freedom, originality, and the integrity of the research process.
Beyond writing assistance, AI is prompting broader changes in publishing policies and practices. Journals are refining guidelines on AI use, and institutions are developing training and ethics frameworks. In Thailand, universities and the national higher education authority are shaping guidelines that require disclosure of substantial AI usage and promote equitable access to supportive tools. Implementation, enforcement, and best-practice models continue to evolve.
Thai researchers face the familiar pressure of “publish or perish,” a factor driving the adoption of AI tools to speed manuscript preparation. While AI can help non-native speakers reach international audiences, careful policy design is needed to maintain research depth and originality. The focus remains on balancing productivity with scholarly integrity and creative inquiry.
As AI tools become more capable, concerns about uniform writing styles and the narrowing of scientific expression are shared by international experts. The risk of concentrated influence by a few for-profit AI providers could impact independence and intellectual diversity. Thailand must monitor these dynamics and strengthen local capacity to sustain diverse, quality-driven research communication.
Trust in the research record is at stake when readers, reviewers, and editors cannot distinguish AI-assisted content from traditional writing. For Thailand and similar economies pursuing global scientific credibility, robust verification and transparent practices are essential to protect long-term scholarly value and collaboration opportunities.
Culturally, Thailand’s educational philosophy blends innovation with rigorous personal development. The balance between embracing digital tools and maintaining deep, critical thinking remains central. Education stakeholders must ensure AI supports, rather than supplants, authentic learning and intellectual growth.
Looking ahead, improvements in AI-detection technologies and clearer ethical guidelines will help align global standards with local realities. Thailand’s policy landscape, including guidelines on AI use in manuscripts and responsible disclosure, will continue to evolve in step with international norms. The focus is on practical, context-aware adoption that strengthens Thai research while guarding integrity and inclusivity.
Thai researchers, educators, and students are encouraged to pursue three concrete actions: provide transparent AI-use training and disclosure practices; foster open discussions about ethical boundaries and standardized acknowledgment protocols; and develop flexible, locally adapted policies that ensure equitable access to high-quality AI support without compromising research quality.
ChatGPT and related AI systems offer transformative potential for science communication, but success depends on maintaining intellectual diversity, rigorous inquiry, and trusted scholarly records. Thailand’s institutions should stay informed of international developments while applying responsible, context-sensitive practices that reflect Thai educational values and ambitions.