The Use of Controlled Artificial Intelligence as a Co-Author in Academic Article Writing

Abstract

Dear Editors,

We have read with interest your very valuable editorials on the use of artificial intelligence (AI) applications, which is a very current topic, in academic writing [1,2]. The opinions and thoughts of the authors about writing articles with the help of AI have been the focus of attention recently [1-3]. First of all, thank you very much for creating a discussion platform for the most used and mentioned development of the century (ChatGPT). Today, technology is indispensable in our lives, and in the last ten years, AI and the products obtained with this technology are an indication that Al will take place in all areas of our lives in the future. The one of the most important areas affected by technological developments is undoubtedly the world of science. Scientific articles, which are a product of scientific research, evolve depending on constantly renewed technological developments. Endnote, Zotero, Mendeley, which are frequently used in article writing; Plagiarism programs such as Turnitin, Ithenticate, SmallSEOTools etc. have taken their places among the indispensables of academics [4].

The most up-to-date technology that will help academics and scientific applications is the ChatGPT application, which is a product of AI, which is rapidly advancing in the world and is appreciated by millions of users [5]. Recently, one of the most discussed topics in the academic world is the use of AI as a co-author in academic articles [1-3,6]. Many authors argue that AI cannot be co-authors in article writing [3,6,7], some authors argue that it will be impossible to avoid the benefits that technology can provide us [8,9], while some authors argue that it is useful but needs to be developed [10].

In article writing, taking advantage of the conveniences that AI will offer to academicians shortens the duration of the work and provides ease of access. We think that the use of AI will be beneficial in many stages such as the literature review for a study, the creation of references in article writing, the preparation of the article according to the format of the journal to which it is planned to be sent, etc.

Bahşi and Küçükbingöz [3] stated that the most important point is accuracy which may pose a problem in using AI programs such as ChatGPT or GPT4 in writing an article. AI serves information that it scans on the internet, and we do not know whether its source is always correct. Lee [6] emphasized that the inability of AI to take place as an author in article writing is not ethical in terms of not being able to take responsibility. However, there are researchers who emphasize that the main responsibility for article writing lies with the author [9]. When we evaluate the perspectives of the authors on the subject, we think that the parts of ChatGPT that need to be improved in terms of accuracy in citation and lack of ethical controller. Artificial intelligence can be a co-author of articles if a scientific dataset is used, which consists of data that is safer, and controlled and ethical principles are not ignored. However, the final reliability of the articles should be checked with a human brain. Technology should be used absolutely, but it should not be based entirely on it.

As a result, it is imperative to keep up with science in the developing and changing world. We believe that AI being the co-author of our articles, provided that it is limited and supervised, will provide academics with the opportunity to save time and reach results faster.

Regards