Research Solutions has released The State of AI in Research 2026, a benchmark study examining how academic and corporate organizations are integrating artificial intelligence into research workflows. Based on survey responses from more than 400 professionals across universities, life sciences, pharmaceutical companies, healthcare, biotech, consulting, and technology sectors, the report provides a peer-sourced overview of current AI adoption and outlines implications for scholarly publishing.
The findings suggest that while AI use is widespread among individual researchers, organizational strategies and governance structures remain underdeveloped.
• High individual adoption: 58% of respondents reported using AI tools daily or multiple times per day, and another 29% used them several times per week. In total, 87% used AI at least weekly, indicating that AI has become part of routine research practice.
• Verification culture: 52% of respondents stated they always verify AI outputs, while 31% verify most outputs. However, 51% of organizations reported lacking a formal evaluation process for AI effectiveness.
• Lagging strategy maturity: 36% of organizations remain in exploratory phases, 35% have no formal AI strategy, and only 13% have moved to active implementation or full integration.
Corey Rabazinski, Chief Marketing Officer at Research Solutions, observed that professionals have adopted AI quickly and with rigor at the individual level, but emphasized that institutions, publishers, and platforms need to build governance infrastructure to match that momentum.
Respondents identified several resources that would support AI implementation, including case studies and best practices (19%), technical integration guidance (19%), ethical frameworks (16%), and strategic planning models (16%). These needs extend beyond individual organizations, positioning publishers, librarians, and platform providers to play a role in developing shared standards and frameworks.
Research support was cited as the top area where AI is expected to deliver value in 2026, mentioned by 26% of respondents. Budget allocation remains inconsistent, with 45% uncertain or unwilling to disclose details and 27% reporting no specific AI budget.
Despite limited organizational readiness, confidence in AI’s potential remains strong. 37% of respondents expect AI to drive significant improvements alongside traditional approaches, while 24% anticipate fundamental transformation. Combined, 61% foresee either substantial improvement or reshaping of operations, even as strategies and governance frameworks continue to evolve.
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