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The dual edge of AI: advancing and endangering scientific integrity in chemistry

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Abstract

The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into environmental and analytical chemistry presents both transformative opportunities and serious risks to scientific integrity. AI offers increasingly advanced capabilities in data interpretation, process automation, and predictive modeling, while its uncritical use—particularly in generating scientific texts—raises concerns about bias, error propagation, and ethical accountability. This article is a conceptual and critical analysis, not an experimental report. It critically examines the dual impact of AI on scientific research, highlighting potential threats to rigor, transparency, and authorship. The article also discusses the transformative benefits of AI in enhancing analytical efficiency, real-time monitoring, and predictive modeling in chemical research. The article emphasizes the need for robust oversight, ethical frameworks, and the preservation of human expertise in AI-assisted studies. By exploring AI-generated outputs and evaluating their implications through expert critique, this work aims to foster responsible and informed integration of AI in chemistry. Recommendations are provided for researchers, editors, and institutions to safeguard the credibility and trustworthiness of scientific communication in the era of AI.

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Acknowledgements

Multiple AI tools (including ChatGPT v4.0, ChatGPT v5.0, DeepSeek v2.0, and Gemini v2.5 Pro) were consulted during the preparation of this manuscript. These tools were used to generate preliminary text fragments, illustrative examples, and structural suggestions aligned with the study’s thematic sections. All outputs were subjected to numerous and lengthy revisions, and many sections were rewritten entirely during the final proofreading process. No complete AI-generated draft or original set of prompts was preserved. The final manuscript reflects substantial human-led synthesis, restructuring, and critical review to ensure accuracy, coherence, and adherence to scientific integrity.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Chemistry and Chemical Processing Technologies, Technical Science Vocational School, Mersin University, 33343, Mersin, Turkey

    Erdal Yabalak

  2. Department of Nanotechnology and Advanced Materials, Mersin University, Mersin, Turkey

    Erdal Yabalak

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  1. Erdal Yabalak
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Correspondence to Erdal Yabalak.

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Yabalak, E. The dual edge of AI: advancing and endangering scientific integrity in chemistry. AI Ethics 5, 4635–4643 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1007/s43681-025-00829-y

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