AI Adoption Jumps to 84% Among Researchers as Expectations Undergo Significant 'Reality Check'

Wiley's (NYSE: WLY) second ExplanAItions study reveals a significant maturation in AI adoption among researchers, with overall usage surging from 57% in 2024 to 84% in 2025, and specific research application growing to 62%. Despite enduring optimism regarding AI's efficiency and quality benefits, researchers are recalibrating expectations, with belief in AI outperforming humans dropping from over 50% to under 33% of use cases, alongside rising concerns about accuracy and privacy. The study highlights a 'guidance gap,' as 73% of researchers seek support from publishers like Wiley, positioning the company to capitalize on the evolving, more discerning market for AI tools and content by providing essential guidance and purpose-built solutions.

Analysis

Wiley's second ExplanAItions study reveals a significant maturation in AI adoption among researchers, with overall usage surging from 57% in 2024 to 84% in 2025. Specific AI use for research and publication tasks also grew substantially from 45% to 62%, indicating widespread integration into academic workflows. This increased adoption is driven by enduring optimism, with 85% of researchers reporting improved efficiency and nearly 75% noting enhanced work quality and quantity.

Despite surging usage, researchers are recalibrating expectations, as evidenced by a drop in belief that AI outperforms humans for potential use cases, from over 50% last year to less than one-third this year. This "nuanced, evidence-based adoption" is accompanied by rising concerns, with worries about inaccuracies and hallucinations increasing from 51% to 64%, and privacy/security concerns climbing from 47% to 58%. The study highlights a "guidance gap," with 73% of researchers seeking clear guidelines from publishers.

Corporate researchers demonstrate higher confidence and fewer implementation barriers, benefiting from greater organizational support (58% with provided tools vs. 40% across all sectors) and less hindrance from a lack of guidelines. They also perceive AI as more capable, believing it outperforms humans in 50% of use cases compared to the 30% average. Wiley (NYSE: WLY), as a global leader in content and research intelligence, is strategically positioned to address the identified guidance gap by providing purpose-built tools and clear guidelines, aligning with 73% of researchers' stated needs.

Key Decisions for Investors

• Investors should assess Wiley's ability to capitalize on the identified "guidance gap" by expanding its offerings of purpose-built AI tools and clear guidelines for researchers, which could drive future revenue growth.
• Consider the significant market opportunity in specialized AI tools for research, given low current awareness (11%) and usage (25%) among researchers, suggesting potential for new entrants or strategic acquisitions.
• Monitor the evolving concerns around AI accuracy, privacy, and security (rising to 64% and 58% respectively), as these factors could influence regulatory landscapes and demand for more secure, reliable AI solutions.
• Observe the corporate research sector as a leading indicator for broader AI integration, given their higher confidence and organizational support, which may foreshadow future trends in other research domains.