Field diffusion · General science

Wiley survey reports broad researcher AI adoption with rising caution

A global survey measurement of researcher AI use, perceived efficiency gains, tool types, and concern levels.

Summary

Wiley's second ExplanAItions study reports that AI use among surveyed researchers rose sharply from 2024 to 2025, including use for research and publication tasks. The same survey also records greater concern about inaccuracies, hallucinations, privacy, and the gap between general-purpose tools and specialized research assistants.

AI role

AI is measured as a tool adopted by researchers for research and publication tasks.

Narrative role

This adds a direct adoption measurement showing that AI has diffused widely into researcher workflows while users are becoming more cautious about its limits.

Caveat

The source is a publisher survey and press release; it measures self-reported use and perceptions rather than realized scientific output.

Event

Date: 2025-10-07
Timeline role: Supporting
Progress relevance: Context signal
Validation: Not applicable

Evidence

Survey · Report

Observed metrics

overall AI tool usage: 84%; Wiley reported views from 2,430 researchers surveyed in August 2025. Comparator: 57% in 2024.
research and publication task usage: 62%; Reported as specific use for research and publication tasks. Comparator: 45% in 2024.
inaccuracy and hallucination concern: 64%; Reported as a rising concern among researchers. Comparator: 51% in 2024.

Source: Wiley ↗