Several experts who track down problems in studies told AFP that the rise of AI has turbocharged the existing problems in the multi-billion-dollar sector. All the experts emphasised that AI programmes such as ChatGPT can be a helpful tool for writing or translating papers -- if thoroughly checked and disclosed.

But that was not the case for several recent cases that somehow snuck past peer review. Earlier this year, a clearly AI-generated graphic of a rat with impossibly huge genitals was shared widely on social media. It was published in a journal of academic giant Frontiers, which later retracted the study.

Another study was retracted last month for an AI graphic showing legs with odd multi-jointed bones that resembled hands. A study published by Elsevier went viral in March for its introduction, which was clearly a ChatGPT prompt that read: "Certainly, here is a possible introduction for your topic". 

Andrew Gray, a librarian at University College London, determined that at least 60,000 papers involved the use of AI in 2023 -- over one percent of the annual total. More than 13,000 papers were retracted last year, by far the most in history, according to the US-based group Retraction Watch.

Source: https://www.barrons.com/news/flood-of-junk-how-ai-is-changing-scientific-publishing-4515bb8d