AI reshapes academic publishing, experts call for quality push across 3,000 KCI journals

As generative AI rapidly transforms academic research — from writing and analysis to publication — experts are calling on domestic journals to shift their focus from quantitative growth to qualitative advancement. The consensus is that while AI should be actively embraced as a tool to boost research productivity, stronger ethical standards are needed to prevent misuse.

The National Research Foundation of Korea said it held a meeting with editors-in-chief of major domestic academic societies Tuesday at its Seoul office to discuss the direction of journal development in the AI era and ways to raise the quality of journals listed in the Korea Citation Index.

About 20 people attended the meeting, including editors-in-chief from leading academic societies in the humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, engineering and medicine, along with foundation officials.

Participants agreed on the need to strengthen accountability in AI use and to reinforce research and publication ethics in response to the changing academic environment brought on by the spread of generative AI. They also shared the view that AI should be leveraged to improve research productivity and accelerate the dissemination of domestic academic output.

Attendees also raised the need to improve the openness and accessibility of domestic journals so that research findings can be more widely shared and utilized.

There was broad agreement that Korea Citation Index journal policy should shift its emphasis from quantitative growth to qualitative standards and academic influence. Participants also discussed ways to raise the international profile of Korea Citation Index journals so that domestic research can gain greater traction in global academic circles.

The Korea Citation Index currently lists 2,932 journals, including 67 designated as top-tier publications. The foundation supports the systematic management and quality improvement of domestic journals through its journal certification system.

"The time has come to move beyond quantitative growth in domestic journals and raise their quality and international influence to the next level," said Hong Won-hwa, president of the National Research Foundation of Korea. "We will continue to work closely with the academic community to ensure that our research output is shared and disseminated not only at home but around the world, by actively embracing technological advances such as AI."