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Press release<br>​Elsevier’s global survey of 3,000 researchers reveals less than half have time to do research but see AI as transformative if given right tools<br>November 4, 2025

​The Researcher of the Future report highlights increased adoption of AI alongside concerns, regional variations and new mobility trends ​

Elsevier today shared the results of its global Researcher of the Future survey, offering fresh insights into how researchers view the rapidly evolving research landscape. The survey is part of Elsevier’s continued focus on understanding the drivers of confidence in research and challenges and opportunities for the global research and innovation community. The latest insights show how advances in artificial intelligence (AI), evolving research practices, and shifting policy and funding dynamics are transforming research more profoundly than ever before.<br>Drawing on insights from more than 3,200 academic and corporate researchers across 113 countries, the report highlights widening regional differences in researcher attitudes, evolving views on mobility, and a shift in how researchers see their own role in a changing world.<br>Judy Verses, President, Academic & Government Markets at Elsevier: “This study offers a clear picture of researchers’ eagerness to innovate and commitment to upholding trust and ethical standards despite the increasing pressures they face. Researchers see AI as a powerful tool to transform how they work and boost impact, but they need solutions they can trust that prioritize research integrity, accuracy and accountability. The scientific community recognizes that these trust markers are essential for advancing human progress with confidence.”<br>Researchers face greater pressure but are committed to upholding integrity<br>Researchers face increasing pressure from a fast-growing volume of information, administrative and teaching demands, uncertainty over funding and pressure to publish. Together, these factors are eroding the time researchers can dedicate to conducting research and potentially impeding their career progression. Despite the pressures, researchers remain uncompromising in their commitment to quality and maintaining research integrity.<br>Only 45% agree they have sufficient time for research

Just 33% expect funding in their field to increase in the next two to three years, with optimism lowest in North America and Europe

68% say the pressure to publish their research is greater than two to three years ago

74% say peer-reviewed research is trustworthy and view peer-review as important to research integrity, building trust and broadening impact.

Researchers rapidly adopt AI but need support<br>Researchers see AI as transformative for their work and adoption is accelerating rapidly:<br>58% now use AI tools in their work, compared with 37% in 2024

However, only 32% of researchers globally believe there is good AI governance at their institution

Similarly, just 27% believe they have adequate training in using AI.

Regional variations in researchers’ confidence in AI<br>Researchers’ confidence in AI tools is diverging across regions, particularly between China, the US, and the UK. In China, 68% of researchers think AI tools give them more choice versus 29% in the US and 26% in the UK. Further, when it comes to believing AI empowers them, 64% of Chinese researchers agree versus just 25% in the US and 24% in the UK.    The gap is also clear in how researchers view AI’s potential:<br>To save research time: 79% in China vs. 54% in the US, and 57% in the UK

To improve quality of work: 60% in China vs. 22% in the US, and 17% in the UK

To accelerate discovery: 49% in China vs. 30% in the US, and 26% in the UK.

Where researchers find the most value in AI<br>Most researchers (58%) say AI tools currently save them time, although they are selective about where they see the greatest impact. Researchers are currently using AI tools to:<br>Find and summarize the latest research (61%)

Perform literature reviews (51%)

Analyze research data (38%)

Draft grant proposals (41%)

Draft research papers or reports (38%).

Researchers are less inclined to use generic AI tools for creative tasks like generating hypotheses or designing studies. However, those who recognize AI’s benefits are more likely to use a secure, researcher-customized, reliable AI assistant for these purposes.<br>Researchers are looking for trust markers to increase their confidence in AI<br>Despite the rise in AI use, researchers are concerned about ethics and reliability.<br>Less than a quarter (23%)...