The use of artificial intelligence (AI) in scientific research is not considered plagiarism if properly disclosed, as it is a tool that assists in processing and synthesizing existing knowledge rather than an independent source of original ideas. However, failing to disclose AI's contribution could be seen as misleading or unethical, as it obscures the true origin of the content. When disclosed, AI is acknowledged as a tool that aids research, similar to statistical software, and researchers remain responsible for validating and interpreting its outputs. Transparency is key, and best practices include clearly indicating AI's role, citing the tools used, and ensuring the accuracy and integrity of AI-generated content in alignment with scientific standards.

A recent article from the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) (Noble, 2025) discusses essential legal and ethical considerations surrounding copyright and AI. It highlights the complex landscape of copyright law as it applies to AI-generated outputs and the potential consequences for creators, developers, and users.

While using AI in scientific research isn't inherently plagiarism, the article underscores the importance of understanding how copyright intersects with AI-generated content. Copyright infringement can be a concern depending on how AI is trained and used. For example, if an AI model is trained on copyrighted data and generates output that is substantially similar to that data, copyright issues may arise.

Therefore, researchers using AI tools should consider the following to ensure ethical and legal compliance:

• Data Sources: Consider the data used to train or prompt AI. Using copyrighted data without permission can be problematic, even if the output isn't a direct copy.
• Originality and Attribution: Always review AI-generated content for originality. Even if not legally required, attributing the use of AI and identifying the specific tool can promote transparency and build trust.
• Transformative Use: Consider whether the AI is being used in a transformative way. Transformative use adds new meaning or message to the original copyrighted work, potentially reducing the risk of infringement.
• Fair Use: In certain circumstances, the use of copyrighted material may be considered fair use, particularly for research purposes. However, fair use is determined on a case-by-case basis and depends on factors like the purpose and character of the use, the nature of the copyrighted work, the amount and substantiality of the portion used, and the effect of the use on the potential market for the copyrighted work.
• Licensing: Explore licensing options for data and AI models to ensure compliance with copyright law.

By considering these points and staying informed about the evolving legal landscape surrounding AI and copyright, researchers can leverage the power of AI while upholding ethical research practices and respecting intellectual property rights. The EFF article you shared provides a valuable resource for understanding these complexities.

Disclosure: The content above was researched and edited with the help of AI.

References:

Noble, T. (2025, February 19). Copyright and AI: The cases and the consequences. Electronic Frontier Foundation. https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2025/02/copyright-and-ai-cases-and-consequences

The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into research and problem-solving presents both opportunities and ethical challenges. The use of AI to autonomously generate solutions to complex scientific, engineering, or medical problems without rigorous human validation sets a dangerous precedent. Such practices can undermine scientific integrity, introduce biases, and propagate misinformation, ultimately compromising the reliability of research outcomes (Floridi & Cowls, 2019; Mittelstadt et al., 2016).

Conversely, AI-assisted tools for refining the language of research papers, improving clarity, or enhancing readability are generally accepted within the academic and research communities—provided that their use is transparently disclosed and appropriately cited (Else, 2023). The Committee on Publication Ethics and various academic publishers have issued guidelines emphasizing that AI-generated text should not be presented as an author's original work without disclosure ). Proper acknowledgment ensures that the role of AI remains an assistive rather than an autonomous force in research communication, thereby maintaining academic integrity.

References:

Else, H. (2023). AI tools are shaping research – how to use them responsibly. Nature. DOI: 10.1038/d41586-023-00191-1

Floridi, L., & Cowls, J. (2019). A Unified Framework of Five Principles for AI in Society. Harvard Data Science Review, 1(1). DOI: 10.1162/99608f92

Mittelstadt, B. D., et al. (2016). The ethics of algorithms: Mapping the debate. Big Data & Society, 3(2). DOI: 10.1177/2053951716679679

Hamidreza Zahedi@

I completely agree with you that artificial intelligence is sometimes an excellent tool for summarizing knowledge. The problem is that it does not reflect the writer's level of knowledge, as the scholar and the one with little knowledge are equal if they use artificial intelligence well.

With the rapid rise of artificial intelligence (AI) in academia, many researchers are beginning to ask: Is using AI in scientific research a form of plagiarism? The answer depends on how the technology is used—but in many cases, it poses a serious ethical risk.

AI tools like ChatGPT and similar platforms can generate or rewrite large portions of text based on user prompts. When researchers use these tools to create content for manuscripts—such as introductions, literature reviews, or even conclusions—they may inadvertently present work that is not truly their own. Content creation using AI is generally not allowed in academic research, especially when it is not disclosed.

This practice can raise plagiarism concerns, as the AI-generated text may reproduce existing phrases, structures, or ideas from its training data without citation. It also undermines the principle that scholarly work should originate from the author’s own critical thinking and domain expertise.

Furthermore, some journals and institutions now screen for AI-generated content, and submitting work created in this way can damage academic credibility or result in outright rejection.

In scientific research, originality is paramount. While AI can be a helpful brainstorming companion or research assistant, it must not be used to generate substantive content. Upholding academic integrity means ensuring that the work you submit reflects your own voice, analysis, and intellectual effort.

https://www.proof-reading-service.com/blogs/ai-in-scholarly-publishing

No it is not dear Jonaid Shreef Alsamarrai .

How students are getting creative with AI

ChatGPT for students: learners find creative new uses for chatbots

"Gone are the days of using artificial intelligence (AI) just to summarize a research paper. Now, students are finding new and imaginative ways to integrate AI into their learning. PhD applicant Adriana Ivich used generative-AI chatbot ChatGPT to create simulations of people on her interview committee, using their real-world biographies and publications. Others are using such tools to generate podcasts and visualizations to bone up on new concepts, and even improve their work-life balance, by asking the chatbot to create work schedules with time for extra-curricular activities built in."

https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-025-00621-2

Are AI-generated ideas plagiarism?

“A significant portion of LLM-generated research ideas appear novel on the surface but are actually skillfully plagiarized,” wrote computer scientists Tarun Gupta and Danish Pruthi. They had spotted a methodology similar to their own in a paper generated by The AI Scientist, an artificial intelligence (AI) tool that aims to show how such systems could generate original scientific research. The example raises the question whether systems that rely on remixing and interpolating the text they’re trained on are skirting too close to ‘idea plagiarism’.

https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-025-02616-5