Artificial intelligence in peer review is changing how journals handle increasing submission volumes, reviewer scarcity, and editorial inconsistencies. In this exclusive interview, Professor Khalid Khan, an expert in evidence-based medicine and publishing, shares his insights on the opportunities and limitations of AI in the peer-review process.
Watch the full video or explore below the main takeaways on how AI can support editors and reviewers—when used responsibly.
Why Peer Review Needs Artificial Intelligence
Peer review is the foundation of scientific quality control, yet the system is struggling. Prof. Khan identifies common challenges: slow reviews, biased decisions, reviewer shortages, and inconsistent quality.
Artificial intelligence in peer review offers new tools to assist with:
-
Reviewer matching
-
Manuscript screening
-
Plagiarism detection
-
Language improvement
-
Ethical compliance checks
Still, Prof. Khan warns: “AI should assist, not replace, the human judgment of editors and reviewers.”
What AI Can Do in Scientific Peer Review
According to Prof. Khan, several AI tools are already demonstrating utility across different review stages:
-
Automated manuscript screening: AI can filter submissions for plagiarism, formatting, and guideline compliance.
-
Reviewer matching: Algorithms can suggest qualified reviewers based on publication history and topic relevance.
-
Language enhancement: AI tools can improve clarity, grammar, and structure without altering meaning.
-
Statistical validation: Some AI tools offer initial checks for data consistency and methodological soundness.
However, Prof. Khan also highlights critical limitations:
-
Overreliance on automation may lead to false positives or negatives.
-
Opaque algorithms can introduce bias rather than eliminate it.
-
Lack of regulation on how AI tools are validated and used by journals.
He advocates for human oversight, editorial responsibility, and transparency in how AI is applied during the review process.
Watch the Full Interview: AI in Peer Review with Prof. Khalid Khan
We invite you to watch this short but thought-provoking interview on how artificial intelligence is transforming the editorial landscape. The video is part of ReviewPRO’s educational series on innovation in scientific publishing.
Related resources
- Learn how ReviewPRO uses AI tools to support reviewers and improve review quality:
👉 https://reviewpro.io/for-reviewers -
Discover how we combine AI and blockchain to create transparent peer review systems:
👉 https://reviewpro.io/blog/ai-blockchain-peer-review
