Mendive. Journal on Education, January-March 2025; 23(1), e4129
Translated from the original in Spanish

Leading article

Rethinking scientific writing in the age of artificial intelligence

Repensando la redacción científica en la era de la inteligencia artificial

Repensando a redação científica na era da inteligência artificial

Yudit Rovira Álvarez¹ 0000-0003-3232-9372 judy@upr.edu.cu
Moraima Pérez Barrera¹ 0000-0002-5774-2123 moraima.perez@upr.edu.cu

¹ University of Pinar del Río "Hermanos Saíz Montes de Oca". Pinar del Río, Cuba.

In this world where technology advances at a breathtaking pace and knowledge seems to have no boundaries, a question arises that permeates the entire scientific realm: how can it be ensured that what is known, what is discovered, does not become a monopoly for a few? And, even more importantly, how can we ensure that access to that knowledge is truly for everyone?

The Manifesto on Science as a Global Public Good reminds us of a fundamental truth: knowledge is not a commercial asset. It should not be behind a paywall, nor should it be owned by large corporations or powerful universities. Knowledge, the manifesto states, should be free, accessible, and shared. Because in a world where inequality grows, knowledge is the only tool that can break the chains that bind so many people to ignorance. And here enters a concept as grand as science itself: open access.

Open access means that everyone, regardless of where they live, their purchasing power, or their academic rank, can read, learn, and grow. But like any noble principle, open access is not without its own challenges. Because this access must be non-commercial. Yet, often there are platforms that turn knowledge into a commodity, selling it as if it were any other product.

This is where artificial intelligence (AI) enters, that new tool which, although fascinating, remains a terrain full of unknowns. AI is no longer just a science fiction idea; it is a constant presence that is changing the way writing, researching, and understanding the world are carried out. It is no longer unusual to find platforms like OpenAI, Scholarcy, or Writefull, which help scientists generate summaries, correct errors, or analyze data. These tools, although powerful, also prompt the question: are we losing the essence of what it means to write a scientific paper, of what it means to be an author?

In 2021, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization gave a clue when it presented its Recommendation on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence. It spoke of the need for an inclusive design, the protection of human rights. It warned that the use of AI must align with the principles of justice, transparency, and equity. But, as is well known, technologies advance much faster than laws and regulations.

And while large tech corporations monopolize AI development, the impact on the diversity of scientific production is inevitable. In 2024, the UN issued a clear warning: AI cannot be in the hands of a few. If this aspect is not managed, scientists from less privileged countries, those with fewer resources, could fall behind, excluded from the new wave of knowledge that this technology could enable.

In this context, Cuba has begun to carve its own path. In May 2024, the Council of Ministers approved a Strategy for the Development and Use of Artificial Intelligence, with the goal of incorporating AI into everyday life, in an ethical and responsible manner. A strategy that, while ambitious, also leaves a deep reflection: science should not be a race toward technology, but a commitment to equity and social well-being.

This is where academic journals, like Mendive, come into play. They have the responsibility of bridging technological advancements and ethical reflection. Journals must be a meeting place where the challenges and opportunities that AI presents are discussed. And, even more, where solutions are proposed to ensure that AI implementation does not become a filter that limits access to knowledge but a tool that democratizes it.

It is true that AI can help in scientific writing: organizing ideas, correcting errors, even suggesting new ways to express ideas. But it is also true that excessive reliance on these tools could lead to losing something vital: the unique voice of authors, creativity, and the ability to question. AI can be very good at analyzing data, but it lacks that human spark that gives meaning, that provides context.

The use of AI in scientific writing is full of paradoxes. On the one hand, it can democratize access to writing tools and facilitate the participation of those with limited resources, while on the other, the technological divide could widen even further, favoring those who already have access to the best tools. And if the algorithms that power these tools are biased, the risk of perpetuating prejudices and distorting the truth becomes even greater.

Therefore, caution is needed. Artificial intelligence should not replace humans but complement them. In scientific writing, as in all academic endeavors, critical judgment, ethics, and responsibility are essential. AI tools should be used wisely, not as shortcuts leading to mediocrity, but as aids that help reach further, without losing what makes humans who they are.

And in the midst of all this, it must be remembered that science should remain a public good, free from the commercial interests that seek to appropriate knowledge. Artificial intelligence can be a powerful ally, but only if used responsibly, with transparency, and with a firm commitment to equity. Because the future of scientific writing is not in the competition between humans and machines but in collaboration.

At Mendive, this challenge is embraced. Through reflection, debate, and ethical commitment, a future can be built where knowledge is accessible, inclusive, and, above all, useful to all.

REFERENCES

Budapest Open Access Initiative. (2022). Recomendaciones en su 20º aniversario. https://www.budapestopenaccessinitiative.org/boai20/boai20-spanish-translation/

Consejo de Europa. (2024). Andorra firma el convenio sobre inteligencia artificial del Consejo de Europa. https://cadenaser.com/nacional/2024/09/05/andorra-signa-el-conveni-sobre-intelligencia-artificial-del-consell-deuropa-radio-ser-principat-d-andorra/

Domínguez García, I. (2009). Un acercamiento al lenguaje del texto científico. Varona, (48-49), 67-72. http://www.redalyc.org/articulo.oa?id=360636904010

Manifiesto sobre la Ciencia como Bien Público Global: Acceso Abierto No Comercial. (2023). En IV Congreso de Editoras y Editores Redalyc y Segundo Encuentro de Miembros AmeliCA, Cumbre Global sobre Acceso Abierto Diamante. https://globaldiamantoa.org/manifiesto/

Organización de las Naciones Unidas para la Educación, la Ciencia y la Cultura (UNESCO) (2021). Recomendación sobre la Ética de la Inteligencia Artificial. https://www.unesco.org/es/legal-affairs/recommendation-ethics-artificial-intelligence

Conflict of interest

Authors declare no conflict of interests.

Authors' contribution

The authors participated in the design and writing of the leading article.