The editorial team of the Journal of Human Evolution has resigned in protest against the publisher’s use of AI in editorial processes.
The editorial team of the Journal of Human Evolution (JHE) has resigned in response to actions taken by their publisher, Elsevier, which they claim undermined the integrity of their work, notably in relation to the implementation of artificial intelligence (AI) technology in their editorial processes.
In a public statement, the editors expressed their concerns not only about the publisher’s imposition of high subscription fees but also about significant changes to the editorial structure and responsibilities that they sayt have been made without consultation. They highlighted that these changes fundamentally contravened the ethos of the journal. The resignation was documented on the blog “Retraction Watch.”
A central point of contention for the editing team was the introduction of AI technology for the revision of articles, which took place in the autumn of 2023. This technology was deployed without any prior notification or consultation with the editorial staff, they said. AI’s involvement in the production process led to notable issues including the misediting of specific writing styles and modifications to texts that had already been formatted and approved by the editors.
According to the former employees, this situation was “extremely embarrassing” for the journal, and rectifying the problems caused by the AI’s interference took approximately six months, achieved only through “persistent efforts” from the editorial team.
Despite the apparent complications caused by this technology, the use of AI in editing procedures continues, routinely leading to alterations in submitted manuscripts that affect the intended meaning and format. The editorial staff indicated that these unapproved changes necessitated extensive oversight from both authors and editors during the correction phase, potentially hampering the efficiency of the editorial process.
The mass resignation of the JHE editorial team highlights a broader trend in the publishing industry. Since 2015, there have been a total of 36 documented mass resignations from research journals, and the frequency of such incidents appears to be increasing. However, the JHE resignation is particularly significant, as it is the first instance where AI is specifically cited as a primary factor.
Source: Noah Wire Services
- https://johnhawks.net/weblog/a-sad-end-for-the-journal-of-human-evolution/ – Corroborates the resignation of the editorial board of the Journal of Human Evolution and the issues with Elsevier, including the use of AI and compensation conflicts.
- https://opentools.ai/news/mass-resignation-at-journal-of-human-evolution-ai-missteps-stir-controversy – Details the mass resignation of the Journal of Human Evolution’s editorial board, the unauthorized use of AI, and the high author fees imposed by Elsevier.
- https://opentools.ai/news/mass-resignation-at-journal-of-human-evolution-ai-missteps-stir-controversy – Explains the impact of AI on the editorial process, including errors and increased workload for editors, and the broader trend of editorial board resignations in academic publishing.
- https://johnhawks.net/weblog/a-sad-end-for-the-journal-of-human-evolution/ – Mentions the press release by the editors and the involvement of Retraction Watch in documenting the resignation.
- https://opentools.ai/news/mass-resignation-at-journal-of-human-evolution-ai-missteps-stir-controversy – Highlights the changes to the editorial structure and responsibilities made by Elsevier without consultation, which contravened the journal’s ethos.
- https://opentools.ai/news/mass-resignation-at-journal-of-human-evolution-ai-missteps-stir-controversy – Discusses the ethical implications and future of editorial practices in academic publishing due to the increasing use of AI.
- https://johnhawks.net/weblog/a-sad-end-for-the-journal-of-human-evolution/ – Details the specific issues caused by AI, such as misediting and modifications to approved texts, and the extensive oversight required to correct these issues.
- https://opentools.ai/news/mass-resignation-at-journal-of-human-evolution-ai-missteps-stir-controversy – Mentions the high author fees and their impact on researchers, particularly those from underfunded institutions or countries.
- https://opentools.ai/news/mass-resignation-at-journal-of-human-evolution-ai-missteps-stir-controversy – Describes the broader trend of mass resignations in the publishing industry and the significance of the JHE resignation as the first involving AI as a primary factor.
- https://johnhawks.net/weblog/a-sad-end-for-the-journal-of-human-evolution/ – Provides context on the historical ownership of the Journal of Human Evolution by Elsevier and the ongoing conflicts between the editorial board and the publisher.
Register for Editor’s picks
Stay ahead of the curve with our Editor's picks newsletter – your weekly insight into the trends, challenges, and innovations driving the future of digital media.
