A study analyzed 12,750 arXiv papers and found that approximately 32% read as machine-written, post-ChatGPT. The research used a calibrated detector to establish a baseline and highlight the rising trend of AI-generated content in academic papers.
The study assessed the full text of 12,750 papers on arXiv from 2021 to 2026, focusing on detecting AI-generated writing.
A detector with a 0.4% false-positive rate was used, calibrated based on papers prior to the introduction of ChatGPT.
Results indicate a steady false-positive rate of 0.4% in 2021 and 2022, followed by an increase to 32% of papers flagged as AI-written after ChatGPT's release.
The share peaked near 39% in early 2026, varying significantly across academic fields.
Computer science papers had the highest AI-written flag rate at approximately 65%.
Mathematics showed the lowest rate, around 0.7%, which the authors noted may be due to specific contextual factors inherent to the field.
This study provides a clearer understanding of AI's impact on academic writing quality and quantity, raising questions about authenticity in published research.
The detection methodology and results serve to inform discussions on the role of AI in academia and future research credibility.
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A study analyzed 12,750 arXiv papers and found that approximately 32% read as machine-written, post-ChatGPT. The research used a calibrated detector to establish a baseline and highlight the rising trend of AI-generated content in academic papers.