Scientific Authorship in the Age of AI: Challenges for Editors and Institutions

Abstract

The extensive utilization of generative artificial intelligence (AI) tools like ChatGPT in academic writing poses significant challenges to conventional paradigms of scientific authorship and editorial oversight. As a conceptual and theoretical contribution, this article critically analyzes the ramifications of AI integration on fundamental practices of scholarly communication, such as peer review, authorship attribution, plagiarism detection, and institutional accountability. Utilizing recent interdisciplinary literature, the paper contends that the growing integration of AI in the writing process challenges traditional notions of originality, intellectual contribution, and the ethical limits of authorship. It examines the epistemological conflicts that arise when non-sentient systems engage in knowledge production and evaluates the dangers associated with AI-generated hallucinations, citation fabrication, and unrecognized automation. The article emphasizes the deficiencies of current editorial policies and academic integrity frameworks in confronting these emerging challenges. It suggests a redefinition of human–AI collaboration grounded in the principles of transparency, accountability, and rigorous oversight. The paper advocates for collaborative efforts among editors, institutions, and educators to ensure that academic standards and practices develop in a manner that preserves the credibility, accountability, and inclusivity of scholarly publishing in the era of AI.