Elsevier — Confidence in Research Report

Researcher of
the Future

How 3,200+ researchers across 113 countries view AI, integrity, collaboration, mobility, and impact — and what it means for the future of science
3,234 Respondents
113 Countries
5 Regions
2025 Survey Year
Source: Elsevier "Researcher of the Future" — A Confidence in Research report, Aug–Sep 2025
Chapter 1 • Figure 1
AI Adoption Has Surged Among Researchers
84% of researchers have used AI tools — 58% for work. Adoption is highest in Asia Pacific and South America, with significant regional variation.
58%
Used AI for work
Global AI Usage Breakdown
AI Adoption for Work by Region
37%
Used AI for work in early 2024 — jumped to 58% by 2025
69%
In China used AI for work — the highest adoption globally
71%
Of AI users globally use ChatGPT as their primary tool
83%
Of early-career researchers (<7 yrs) have used ChatGPT
Chapter 1 • Figure 2
How Researchers Perceive AI: Promise Meets Skepticism
While most see AI as time-saving and empowering, concerns about ethics and trustworthiness remain significant. Hover over bars to explore the data.
Current Perceptions of AI Tools — % responding positively vs negatively
Key Tension
"Although a useful tool, AI requires validation because it often generates false or misleading information."
Researcher (hospital), USA
Regional note
Asia Pacific is consistently more positive (70% say AI saves time vs 39% in Europe). The pattern is inverted for ethics — 31% in Asia Pacific see AI as ethical.
Chapter 1 • Figure 3
AI Applications: What Researchers Use Today & Want Tomorrow
Literature search dominates current use. Creative research tasks like hypothesis generation show the largest gap between aspiration and adoption.
Current & Future AI Use Across Research Activities
79%
Combined current & future use for finding & summarizing research — the #1 AI application
70%
For literature reviews — where AI automates the most time-consuming academic task
54%
Would not use AI to design experiments — the strongest area of resistance
61%
Believe AI will be the creative force driving new knowledge in 2-3 years
Chapter 2 • Figure 6
Under Pressure: Time, Funding, and the Publish-or-Perish Reality
Only 45% have sufficient research time. 68% report mounting publication pressure. Funding optimism varies dramatically by region.
Challenges Facing Researchers — % agree, by region (hover for details)
68%
Say publish pressure is greater than 2-3 years ago (79% in Asia Pacific)
45%
Agree they have sufficient time for research (only 40% in Europe)
33%
Expect funding to increase — lowest in USA (9%) and UK (15%)
42%
Of early-career researchers expect funding growth vs only 26% of 20+ year veterans
Chapter 2 • Figure 8
What Drives Confidence in Research?
Methodology and peer review matter most. AI adds new pressure on transparency and integrity. Click bars to see details.
78%
Value methodology
Top 10 Factors Rated Important for Confidence in Citing or Sharing Research — % very/extremely important
The AI Integrity Question
"The guidelines are really vague. Also, the diversity of tools using AI is so huge that you have no idea of which is a valuable one."
Senior Researcher, Switzerland
55% say AI tools should be trained on up-to-date scholarly literature
59% want AI to automatically cite references
52% want confidentiality of input data maintained
Chapter 3 • Figure 11
Global Researcher Mobility: A Dynamic Talent Map
29% of researchers globally would consider moving abroad. Interest is surging in the USA (+16pp) while declining in China (-22pp) and Japan (-15pp).
🌎
Canada is the #1 destination globally (27%), followed by Germany (26%) and USA (26%)
💼
Top motivations: work-life balance (51%), more research funding (49%), research freedom (49%)
⚠️
Middle East & Africa most open to relocating (51%), Asia Pacific least (21%)
📚
30% report more international applicants than a year ago — global talent competition intensifies