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How IEL Supports Researchers in the AI Era

Artificial intelligence has moved from a novelty to a day-to-day writing tool remarkably quickly. Many researchers now draft sections of a manuscript with the help of AI, tidy their English using automated editors, or explore tools that summarise literature and speed up early brainstorming. In laboratories, offices, and home workspaces around the world, AI has simply become part of the writing ecosystem.

At Insight Editing London, our perspective is straightforward: researchers will use AI, and should feel able to do so safely, transparently, and without losing their scientific voice. The question is no longer whether AI will shape academic writing, but how researchers and editors can use it responsibly while preserving clarity, accuracy, and integrity.

AI is here as a tool, not an author

Major publishers are increasingly integrating custom AI-screening tools into their manuscript triage systems. These tools are not designed to “catch” AI use outright, but to flag text that may require human review — such as overly generic phrasing, formulaic structures, or inconsistencies that sometimes arise in AI-assisted writing. In many ways, these automated screens now function like an additional quality and integrity checkpoint.

This is good news. It means researchers can use AI tools where helpful, as long as the manuscript remains clearly authored, clearly human, and clearly grounded in the authors’ understanding of their own work. What matters is that:

  • the scientific content remains the authors’ intellectual contribution
  • the writing reflects the authors’ voice and intention
  • the manuscript is accurate, transparent, and original
  • AI has supported the writing process, not generated the reasoning behind it

AI assists — but it does not think, interpret, double-check, take ownership of ideas, or say “I don’t know”. And this is precisely where trusted editorial support becomes essential: to help ensure that AI-assisted text is accurate, authentic, and aligned with the standards of international scientific publishing.

Embracing AI without losing your voice

One of the most common concerns we hear from researchers — particularly those whose first language is not English — is that AI can flatten the tone of a manuscript. Text may become linguistically correct but stylistically generic; phrasing becomes repetitive; the narrative loses shape and clarity.

Researchers often tell us:

  • “It sounds like everyone else.”
  • “It no longer reads like my work.”
  • “My supervisor said it feels robotic.”

This isn’t a failure on the researcher’s part — it is simply how large language models operate. They predict patterns, smooth variation, and remove the idiosyncrasies that make scientific writing human.

Our role at IEL is to help you to restore that individuality: your structure, your reasoning, your emphasis, and your way of communicating your science. Our editors help ensure AI-assisted text remains genuine, coherent, and aligned with the conventions of scientific writing — and with your authorial voice.

Embracing AI without losing your skills

A second concern raised by supervisors and journal editors is that an over-reliance on AI can slowly weaken the communication skills researchers need throughout their careers. Clear scientific writing strengthens critical thinking, deepens understanding of the work, and helps researchers communicate confidently with funders, collaborators, and the wider community. When AI does too much of this work, those essential skills — structuring arguments, explaining results, polishing narratives — are practised less often, and eventually weakened.

None of this means AI should be avoided. It simply means that researchers benefit from using it thoughtfully, as a tool that supports the writing process rather than replaces it. IEL’s role is to help maintain that balance.

How can IEL help? We believe AI should support researchers, not replace the skills that underpin strong scientific communication. Online training has always been central to our work and is one of the key ways we differ from other editing companies.

Through clear in-text comments and concise editorial reports, we explain what we adjusted, why it matters, and how the writing could be strengthened further. This approach not only improves the current manuscript but also helps researchers build confidence for future papers. In an era where AI can tidy language but cannot teach judgement, narrative flow, or discipline-specific conventions, our focus remains on helping authors strengthen — not sidestep — their communication skills.

Supporting researchers who feel uncertain about AI

In many regions, the pressures surrounding AI use are acute. Researchers aiming for international English-language journals often worry about:

  • their text being flagged by automated AI-detection systems
  • accidentally using AI-generated text too heavily
  • producing language that is correct but feels non-native
  • being accused of misconduct despite good intentions
  • losing skills in scientific writing

These concerns are legitimate, and the more AI develops, the more researchers need clear, human-led guidance to navigate it safely. For that reason, IEL helps authors:

  • check that AI-generated phrasing is accurate
  • correct over-generalised or vague sentences
  • balance fluency with authenticity
  • develop writing skills rather than outsource them

Where human editorial expertise still matters most

While AI can tidy sentences, it cannot replace the analytical, interpretive, and ethical judgement that sits at the heart of scientific communication. These are areas where human editorial expertise remains essential:

  • Scientific reasoning — interpreting results, explaining logic, making nuanced comparisons
  • Accuracy and citations — AI may invent or misattribute references
  • Overclaiming and hype — AI tends to overstate novelty or impact
  • Consistency — in voice and use of discipline-specific conventions
  • Ethical and integrity checks — authorship, transparency, image guidance, responsible reporting

We embrace this new era with optimism and realism. We are here to help you use AI confidently, preserve your scientific voice, and communicate your work with clarity, accuracy, and integrity. Your science deserves to be heard — in your words, in your way, and with the trusted support of experienced human editors.