Generative AI is now used in about 77% of biomedical papers

An analysis of over 1.19 million English biomedical papers from PubMed Central shows that generative AI has quickly become common in academic writing. In 2025, about 77% of papers showed clear signs of AI-assisted writing or editing, up from 19% in 2023 and 52% in 2024. The discussion sections had the highest usage at 78%, followed by abstracts at 68% and introductions at 63%. Researchers in non-native English speaking regions like South Korea and China used AI in over 80% of papers, more than in English-speaking countries like the UK and US. The main reason seems to be that AI helps improve grammar and phrasing. However, AI can generate false facts and fake references, and some authors don't disclose its use, which raises concerns about trust in science. Instead of banning AI, the study suggests setting clear rules for fact-checking, reference accuracy, and disclosure to define proper boundaries for its use.