The “orchestrator” design of ChatGPT-5 exemplifies how generative AI models, by becoming fluid services rather than static tools, make scientific replication impossible in principle, not just difficult in practice. Why is scientific publishing holding itself back? Pressure to publish in elite journals fuels politics, fragments fields like ecology, and weakens true peer review—could new tools help create a fairer, more objective editorial system?
Elephant in the lab
Opinion
An opinionated post that reflects on a meta-science topic. Opinion pieces can include recommendations.
Articles of that category
The Global Decline of Research Communications in the Disinformation Field
In this study, Ben Shultz uncovers a sharp, politically driven collapse in academic communication about disinformation research following the 2024 U.S. election.
Populism, platforms, and the challenges of science communication
Teresa Völker interviewed Jeanette Hofmann about the role of science communication in fragmented publics, the impact of social media on democratic discourse, and why scientists shouldn’t retreat from social media.
When scientists are targeted, what helps?
Institutions often applaud public engagement, until the backlash begins. Then what? At a Berlin workshop, researchers explored how to move from awareness to action.
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