Frontiers forces AI onto academic journal editors

2026-07-02 · Source: Pivot to AI · Field: Science & Research — Research Methodology & Innovation, Health & Medical Research · Depth: Fundamental Awareness, medium

Summary

Academic publisher Frontiers faces renewed scrutiny over its AI-powered editing system and long-standing quality issues. In early June, Michael Okun resigned as associate editor of "Frontiers in Systems Neuroscience" after the AI repeatedly assigned unqualified reviewers and actively revoked his manual invitations to experts. Frontiers' editorial office stated the AI could not be disabled, despite Okun's requests. Other editors reported the system inviting reviewers without permission even after manuscript rejection. This controversy highlights Frontiers' business model, which critics describe as predatory open-access, prioritizing publication volume and author fees over scientific rigor. The publisher is listed on Wikipedia CiteWatch for questionable reliability and previously published pseudoscience. Notably, in February 2024, Frontiers published an AI-generated "rat dck" image with gibberish labels, which was retracted only after public outcry, having passed initial review and been published within two weeks.

Key takeaway

For academic scientists considering publishing or accepting editorial roles, you should critically evaluate journals employing opaque AI-powered editing systems. Your research's integrity and reputation could be jeopardized by automated processes that override human expert judgment and prioritize volume over quality. Prioritize publishers demonstrating clear human oversight in peer review to ensure rigorous scientific standards are maintained.

Key insights

AI automation in academic publishing can undermine editorial control and scientific quality.

Principles

• AI systems can override human expert judgment.
• Prioritizing publication volume can degrade quality.
• Unpaid editorial roles create vulnerability to publisher practices.

In practice

• Scrutinize journals using opaque AI editing systems.
• Verify reviewer qualifications assigned by automated systems.
• Disclose AI tool usage in image generation for transparency.

Topics

• Academic Publishing
• AI Peer Review
• Journal Quality
• Predatory Journals
• Editorial Ethics
• AI-Generated Images

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Editorial summary, takeaway, and curation by AIssential. Original article published by Pivot to AI.