AI Photo: VCG

The Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), the country's top science institute, on Tuesday published new guidelines on the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in scientific research, as part of its efforts to improve scientific integrity and reduce research misconduct, such as data fabrication and plagiarism.

The document, issued by the academy's regulating body, aims to guide technicians, researchers and students to carry out scientific research transparently, normatively and responsibly, according to the CAS website.

This move comes in response to the rapid development and widespread application of AI technologies, which have brought new opportunities for innovation but also posed significant challenges to the integrity of scientific research. 

Analysts noted that the guidelines are expected to play a crucial role in shaping the ethical landscape of AI usage in the scientific community. 

Integrity standards were proposed, requiring individuals involved in academic evaluation, recommendations for scientific awards, and publication of academic achievements, to ethically use AI in their work and achieve academic integrity, the guidelines said.

Under the guidelines, AI can be used in tracking research trends, collecting references and organizing materials, but any content or findings that use the technology must be clearly labeled as such.

"AI technology is a double-edged sword, and ethical scientific research is considered to be the best approach to safely handling this double-edged sword," Zhao Xiaoguang, a research fellow of the Institute of Automation at the Chinese Academy of Sciences, told the Global Times.

Strengthening the supervision of ethics and refining relevant laws, regulations and rules for ethics reviews will not restrict innovation or creativity, but clarify the ethical risks of specific scientific and technological activities, Zhao said.

Li Kai, a CAS postgraduate student who majors in AI, told the Global Times on Wednesday that generative AI tools can help students and researchers to boost research productivity and improve efficiency, he said.

However, AI shouldn't be utilized to enable academic dishonesty or plagiarism. The guidelines are essential to promoting a culture of the ethical use of AI, and maintain the credibility of technological advancements, while safeguarding the rightful interests of the researchers involved, Li added.