Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Exploring Large Language Models (LLMs) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) in scholarly publishing is essential due to their potential to revolutionise the field by enhancing the efficiency and accessibility of research. AI and LLMs can streamline the publication process through automated peer reviews, improved language translation, and content summarisation, making scholarly work more accessible to a global audience. They can also assist in detecting plagiarism, ensuring the quality of published research, and identifying emerging trends and connections within vast datasets. However, there are concerns about the potential for biases in AI and LLM outputs, the ethical implications of relying on automated systems, and the need for transparency in their use. Balancing these pros and cons is crucial to harnessing the benefits of AI and LLMs while maintaining the integrity and reliability of scholarly publishing.

Webinars hosted by ASSAf on AI:

• AI has gone too far OR it only just begun 

• Large Language Models (LLMs): Smart work or academic doping? 

• AI-driven Science: Solving Old Mysteries or Inspiring New Questions? 

•  The Impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on Scholarly Writing and Publishing

• SciELO 25 Years Seminar: Artificial intelligence and associated tools and policies in editorial decision making 

• AI Lekgotla: "Study this, not that!” – The Future of Work 

AI Guidelines

ASSAf and SciELO Guidelines for the Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) Tools and Resources in Research Communication

 Brazilian researchers launch Guidelines for the ethical and responsible use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI)

by Rafael Cardoso Sampaio, Marcelo Sabbatini & Ricardo Limongi - https://blog.scielo.org/en/2025/02/05/brazilian-researchers-launch-guidelines-genai/

Using AI and AI-assisted writing technologies in articles submitted to the South African Journal of Higher Education - https://www.journals.ac.za/sajhe/announcement/view/51

Disclaimer: The tools listed below have been identified as potentially beneficial for scholarly publishing. However, these tools have not been tested by the Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf), and ASSAf does not endorse, support, or guarantee their ethical standards, functionality, or accuracy. Users are advised to conduct their own evaluations and exercise due diligence when using these tools.

Selected AI tools available for use in scholarly publishing:

• Connected Papers

•  Consensus

• Copy Editor Bot

• Data Analyst

• DocAnalyzer

• Elicit

• Explainpaper

• Grammarly

• Jenni

• Litmaps

• Paperpal

• Perplexity

• Read

• Scispace

• SciSummary

• Scite Assistant

• Trinka

• Type

• Unriddle

• Writefull

• Writing Feedback Pro

General GPTs
https://chatgpt.com/gpts 

Useful Links

South African Artificial Intelligence Association

UNESCO: Guidance for generative AI in education and research (2023) - https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000386693.locale=en

Evaluating Generative AI Tools: A Checklist from Nicole Hennig - https://nicolehennig.com/evaluating-generative-ai-tools-for-purchase-a-checklist/

https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000386693.locale=en

National/international level resources:

·                  UNESCO Recommendation on the ethics of AI

·                  OECD principles on AI

·                  EU AI Act

·                  G20 AI principles

·                  Beijing AI principles

·                  UN Secretary General's Roadmap for Digital Cooperation

·                  IEEE Global Initiative 2.0 on ethics of autonomous and intelligent systems 

·                  Partnership on AI

·                  World Economic Forum AI Governance Alliance

·                  Dept of Defence (USA) ethical principles for AI

South Africa:

·                  Report on the Presidential Commission on the 4th IR

·                  SA National AI Policy Framework (very new - October 2024)

·                  White Paper on STI

·                  POPIA

·                  DTIC initiatives

·                  CSIR initiatives

·                  SAHRC discussions

.                 SA Digital Transformation Masterplan