With millions of scholarly content published every year, in addition to the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) into various fields in the past few years, including the educational sector, AI in research has had, and still, a major impact on simplifying research projects, accelerating discoveries, and optimising learning experiences. Giving students and researchers the chance to work efficiently and effectively more than ever. So, how much time do researchers spend on repetitive tasks that AI can simplify?
On the other side of the story, The global market for AI in education was estimated to be worth $2.5 billion in 2022 and is expected to more than double by 2025, according to the most recent data from AIPRM. However, how exactly are researchers using AI, and what are the challenges they face?
This means that Artificial Intelligence (AI) is changing every aspect of modern life, including education and research. It’s reshaping how students learn, how researchers solve problems, and how educators teach. According to our latest survey, 73.6% use AI in research, 51% use it for literature review and 46.3% of students and researchers are using AI in research for writing and editing, showing just how quickly these tools are being adopted.
AI in research helps by sorting through the tremendous amount of scientific information, analysing large datasets of structured or unstructured data, and spotting connections that might take months to find manually. It also takes care of time-consuming tasks like summarising studies and formatting citations, so researchers can focus on bigger questions. With so much information and so little time, AI isn’t just helpful, it’s becoming a necessity.
Zendy surveyed more than 1,500 students and researchers to understand how they use AI tools. The study shows how people incorporate AI into their work, the benefits they find most useful, and the challenges they face. The findings give a clearer picture of AI’s role in academic work and its impact on productivity.
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Demographics of AI Users in Research
Zendy’s study provides insights into who is using AI in research. Most respondents are young learners, early in their academic journey, which gives us a sense of tools and support they’re looking for.
- 60.1% of respondents are female, 36% are male while the rest prefer not to disclose.
- 67.6% are between 18-24 years old, reflecting early-career researchers and students.
- 45% are undergraduate students, 37.2% are high school students, exploring AI tools for learning and research
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Research Habits and AI Adoption
Students and researchers are highly engaged in academic literature and are shifting toward AI-driven tools for efficiency. Zendy’s survey reveals how dedicated students and researchers are to expanding their knowledge and staying current in their fields. Regularly engaging with academic literature is a key part of their studies and professional growth, reflecting the effort they invest in learning.
The survey also shows a clear preference for online databases, highlighting a growing reliance on digital tools for easy access to research materials. This shift points to a broader move toward more convenient and centralised platforms, supported by the use of responsible AI and other technologies in academic work. These findings underline the importance of user-friendly, well-resourced tools that meet the changing needs of today’s learners and professionals.
- 71.5% read research papers daily or several times a week, indicating high engagement
- 49.3% of respondents spend an average of 4.5 hours each day engaging with research papers
- 50% prefer online databases for accessing research articles, reflecting the growing digitisation of academic research.
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How is AI Being Used in Research?
The study highlights how AI in research is transforming scholarly content practices, with more researchers using it in their daily routines. One of the most common uses is for literature reviews, traditionally a time-consuming task that AI is helping to make faster and more manageable. The findings show a willingness to embrace AI and point to key areas where it can have an even greater impact, especially in literature reviews, writing, and editing.
- 73.6% have used or are exploring AI tools for research.
- 51% use AI for literature reviews.
- 46.3% for writing and editing, highlighting key areas for AI development
These findings indicate a widespread acceptance of AI in research and a growing demand for AI-powered tools.
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Accessibility and Device Preferences
With research becoming increasingly digital, the choice of devices used for academic work is evolving, most users still rely on desktops for research, and more researchers are turning to mobile devices. This shift highlights the need to focus on making mobile access smoother and more user-friendly, all while ensuring that the desktop experience remains just as reliable and effective.
- 57.9% prefer desktops valuing stability and a larger screen.
- 34.8% prefer mobile devices for reading research, emphasising convenience and portability.
- 7.3% prefer tablets.
This trend highlights the need for mobile-friendly AI-powered research platforms while maintaining robust desktop experiences.
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Impact of AI in Research
Finally, researchers were asked about their perception of AI’s effectiveness in academic work. Over half of the respondents shared they consider AI tools to be highly effective, particularly for simplifying complex tasks. Many highlighted how impactful these tools are in saving hours and making the research journey more efficient, showing just how valuable AI has become in the academic sector.
- 39.6% find it very effective
- 33.4% find it effective
- 21.8% are neutral
- 3.7% think it’s ineffective
- 1.5% think it’s very ineffective
The overwhelming majority see AI as a valuable tool, streamlining research and saving time.
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Ethical Concerns & AI Limitations
AI offers many benefits, but there are still some ethical issues to work through:
- Bias and Accuracy – AI in research can reflect biases in the data it’s trained on, which can lead to misleading results.
- Ethical Concerns – Researchers need to make sure AI-generated content meets academic integrity standards.
- Cost and Access – Some AI tools are expensive, making them harder to access for students and researchers with limited resources.
To address these AI ethical issues, educators, researchers, and technology providers need to work together to ensure AI is used responsibly in academia.
The Future of AI in Research
AI in research is evolving rapidly, and the trends from Zendy’s survey suggest where it’s headed next.
With 73.6% of respondents already using AI in research, its role will only expand. One of the biggest areas of growth is predictive analysis, where AI is expected to help researchers spot patterns in massive datasets—an extension of how AI is already streamlining literature reviews and data organisation today.
Collaboration is another key area. As AI tools become more sophisticated, they will help researchers across different disciplines and countries work together more efficiently, reducing language barriers and improving access to global knowledge.
As AI technology advances, its impact on academic research will deepen, offering both opportunities and challenges. The focus now is on ensuring these tools remain accessible, ethical, and aligned with researchers’ real needs.
Finally, AI is set to transform experimentation and simulations. Innovations in AI-driven modelling, combined with augmented and virtual reality, could make complex experiments more interactive, accurate, and scalable.
Conclusion
The survey offers a closer look at how AI is undeniably shaping the future of research, helping students and researchers work more efficiently. From automating literature reviews to improving writing and editing, it’s clear that AI in research is becoming an indispensable part of academic workflows. However, challenges like affordability and accessibility remain key areas to address, ensuring that AI-powered research tools remain accessible and fair for everyone.
At Zendy, we are committed to developing AI-driven tools that cater to the real needs of students, researchers, and professionals.
Download the full report to learn about the methodology behind our findings, explore deeper insights into AI in research, and discover how it’s shaping the academic world.
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