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Artificial intelligence in academic research: Adoption, productivity, and skill perceptions

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: The use of artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly expanding across various professional domains, including academia. Yet, limited empirical evidence exists on which academics are adopting AI, how it influences their research productivity, and what implications it holds for their skillsets. Contributing to ongoing debates on the impact of AI on scientific work, this study draws on original data from a recent large-scale survey of Italian academics to explore patterns of AI use, perceived effects on research output, and skill development. Our findings reveal that 39% of respondents report using AI, with significant variation depending on the type of research activity and stage of the research process. AI adoption is more prevalent among younger scholars and those engaged in applied or interdisciplinary research. Overall, AI use is positively associated with higher research productivity and with more favourable expectations about the impact of AI on researchers’ skills. However, the analysis also uncovers nuanced attitudes towards AI: trust in these technologies is not universal, and pockets of scepticism persist across segments of the academic population.

Source: Technology in Society

DOI: 10.1016/j.techsoc.2026.103536

Authors: Alessandro Muscio, Sotaro Shibayama

Institutions: University of Foggia, The University of Tokyo

Language: English

Topic: Artificial Intelligence in Education

Subfield: Information Systems

Field: Computer Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDG: Quality education

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,660