Unlocking science: building AI researchers can trust

What does ‘the right AI tool’ for researchers look like?

by · TechRadar

Opinion By Maxim Khan published 1 May 2026

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Share this article 0 Join the conversation Follow us Add us as a preferred source on Google Newsletter Subscribe to our newsletter

Productivity is a pressing problem for many governments, and the UK is no exception.

That pressure is trickling down to British researchers as the driving force propelling the UK towards the top of international R&D rankings, based on the quality and impact of their research.

International competition is hotting up, however, and UK researchers will need to do more to maintain the UK’s global standing.

Article continues below

Maxim Khan

SVP for Academic and Government Solutions, Elsevier.

Wider trends in the research sector compound this pressure. Globally, only 45% of researchers said they have sufficient time for research, and just 33% expect funding to increase in the next two to three years.

AI is often held up as a productivity silver bullet. The sheer value of the UK’s investment into AI technologies – collectively, billions of pounds – shows that while productivity is not the only goal, it’s certainly towards the top of the list.

The Government’s AI for Science strategy specifically champions the idea of using AI to “transform scientific productivity and progress”.

AI for research: not as simple as it sounds

It’s no surprise that AI tools are being adopted by researchers and integrated into their workflows – the problem is that they're being adopted faster than governance can keep up. Over half of researchers now say they use AI tools in their work, but only two in ten believe generic AI tools are trustworthy.

Are you a pro? Subscribe to our newsletter

Sign up to the TechRadar Pro newsletter to get all the top news, opinion, features and guidance your business needs to succeed!

Contact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsors