Artificial intelligence in scientific research

Abstract

The editorial analyzes the irruption of artificial intelligence (AI) and how it is applied in scientific research. AI is a technology that simulates human cognitive processes through algorithms and computer systems. AI has multiple benefits for science, such as data analysis, diagnosis and detection of diseases, drug development and public health surveillance. However, AI also involves risks and ethical, legal and social challenges that must be considered and regulated. Some of these risks are: the violation of privacy and security of personal data; biases and discrimination in algorithms and models; possible negative consequences for the environment; and the impact on employment, education and human autonomy. The text mentions some examples of uses of AI in scientific research, such as the analysis of large amounts of data, the generation and validation of hypotheses and the automation of tasks.