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Massive Study Finds AI Traces in Millions of Scientific Papers

Study analyzes AI-generated content in scientific publications worldwide

From Hacker News Original Article Hacker News Discussion

A recent study attempts to detect the use of large language models (LLMs) in academic paper abstracts by analyzing lexical changes but faces criticism for its methodology and conclusions.

Why it matters: The study's claims could influence academic publishing policies on AI usage despite unclear evidence of LLM impact.

The other side: Critics argue the method only detects word changes, not direct AI use, and the study’s conclusions are speculative.

The stakes: Misidentifying AI involvement risks unfairly stigmatizing legitimate academic work and oversimplifying complex writing influences.

Commenters say: Many express skepticism about the study’s reliability, highlight the potential benefits of AI for clarity, and warn against premature policy shifts.