AI will force change in research assessment - Research Professional News

The Coalition for Advancing Research Assessment has warned that artificial intelligence tools are making it more difficult to distinguish the contributions of individual researchers from those of technology in funding proposals. The Coalition is calling for a shift in how research is assessed, moving towards a focus on processes and diverse contributions rather than solely on individual outputs. The group said that the current system of research evaluation is not equipped to handle the increasing integration of AI in the research process.

The Coalition for Advancing Research Assessment is an international body that promotes reform in research evaluation. Its latest statement highlights that AI tools can now generate substantial portions of research proposals and outputs, blurring the lines between human and machine contribution. The Coalition argues that this trend will accelerate and that funding agencies must adapt their assessment criteria accordingly. The recommendation includes recognizing a wider range of contributions, such as data curation, software development, and the use of AI methodologies.

The article notes that the call for change comes amid broader discussions about the impact of AI on academia and research integrity. The Coalition's proposal is part of an ongoing effort to modernize research assessment, but it acknowledges that implementing such changes will require significant consultation and consensus-building across the research community.