A recent study published in the latest issue of the Moroccan Journal of Social and Human Sciences has revealed a noticeable reluctance among Moroccan social science researchers to fully integrate artificial intelligence (AI) tools into their academic work.
Conducted by researchers Yassine Bouchouar from Mohammed V University and Khadija Boufous from the Higher Institute of Information and Communication, the study found that while many researchers utilize AI tools in the early stages of their research, such as idea generation, data organization, translation, and text refinement—these applications remain limited in scope.
AI-assisted research is more widely accepted among master’s students, but its full adoption remains rare.
The study attributes this hesitancy to several factors, including a “knowledge gap” regarding AI technologies, reliance on free but less effective tools, and the absence of a national regulatory framework governing AI use in academic research.
Notably, 87% of researchers rely on free AI-powered tools, which are easy to use but often lack the sophistication required for rigorous academic work.
The study also found that more experienced researchers, particularly PhD students, are less inclined to use AI tools due to concerns over privacy, research integrity, independence, fairness, transparency, and academic honesty.
Furthermore, the research community maintains that AI should only be used in social sciences for quantitative data analysis or translation, with over 84.2% of respondents advocating for mandatory disclosure of AI-assisted research in study footnotes.
This reluctance suggests that fully integrating AI into academic work is still perceived as controversial, potentially damaging researchers’ reputations if not transparently acknowledged.
Ultimately, the study concludes that while AI’s role in scientific research is expanding, Morocco remains behind in its logistical and pedagogical integration within the social sciences, requiring more structured approaches to effectively leverage AI’s potential in academia.
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