Medicine researchers lead AI adoption: Wiley study
NEW JERSEY, UNITED STATES — A global study by publishing and research firm Wiley revealed that the field of medicine is one of the most eager disciplines to adopt artificial intelligence (AI) in research.
Among nearly 5,000 researchers surveyed worldwide, 38% of medical researchers identified as early adopters of AI, second only to computer science at 44%. This figure surpasses the overall average of 34%, highlighting medicine’s growing interest in leveraging AI for innovation and improved healthcare outcomes.
AI’s expanding applications in medical research
The study found that while current AI applications are limited to a few core tasks, researchers anticipate a rapid expansion in its use across the research process within the next two years.
In medicine, AI is already making strides in diagnostics, drug discovery, and data analysis.
A majority of researchers believe that AI outperforms humans in over half of the 43 use cases examined, further fueling optimism about its transformative potential.
Barriers hindering wider adoption
Despite this enthusiasm, medical researchers face significant obstacles to fully integrating AI into their work.
Over 60% of researchers globally cited a lack of clear guidelines and training as major barriers to adoption.
Jay Flynn, Wiley’s Executive Vice President and General Manager for Research & Learning, emphasized this challenge: “While researchers are eager to embrace AI’s benefits, they face significant barriers, including a lack of clear guidelines on acceptable use.”
Wiley’s commitment to supporting researchers
To address these challenges, Wiley is developing comprehensive guidelines for the responsible use of AI in research. These forthcoming guidelines aim to tackle ethical, practical, and technical concerns while empowering researchers to integrate generative AI tools confidently.
Expected to launch in the coming months, these resources will provide actionable recommendations tailored to researchers’ needs.
Global trends and regional variations
The study also highlighted regional differences in AI adoption. Researchers in China (59%) and Germany (57%) lead globally in using AI for research purposes compared to a 44% adoption rate elsewhere.
However, the need for publisher support remains universal. Around 70% of researchers expressed a desire for publishers to provide guidance on acceptable uses of AI.
As medicine continues to explore AI’s potential, clear frameworks and training will be pivotal in unlocking its full capabilities while maintaining ethical standards. With its proactive initiatives, Wiley positions itself as a key partner in shaping the future of AI-driven research.
