King's College London

Generative and analytical AI systems offer unprecedented opportunities for innovation, efficiency and discovery, but their rapid adoption raises critical questions about integrity, governance, reproducibility, infrastructure and ethics. It also risks undermining public trust in science and discovery.

The King’s Institute for Artificial Intelligence is driving a programme of activity across King's College London to understand what happens when artificial intelligence tools become part of the research process, and to equip our research community with the tools and skills to pursue responsible, innovative, and robust scientific discovery. We will take a leading role in convening cross-sector dialogue, sharing our insights from King’s to promote best practice and address sector-wide challenges.

'The UK is a scientific nation. Scientific discovery is one of the core drivers of human progress. The UK must act decisively to maintain its scientific leadership and seize the opportunity to shape the transformation of science by AI.’ AI For Science Strategy, Department for Science, Innovation & Technology, 20 November 2025

Why does this matter outside the university?

Public trust in science is shifting. The Public Attitudes to Science 2025 survey shows that some specific aspects of trust in science have diminished:

• Only 55% of respondents believe scientists consider risks of new technologies (down from 69% in 2019)
• 42% agreed that that the speed of development in science and technology means that they cannot be properly controlled by government

As AI becomes a routine part of research, universities must show that new methods are used responsibly, transparently and with integrity.