The research explores how AI technologies influence interdisciplinary collaboration by analyzing 1,247 AlphaFold-related papers and 7,700 authors using bibliometric analysis and causal inference. It focuses on the impact of AlphaFold on collaboration patterns between structural biologists and other disciplines. Despite expectations that AI would broadly enhance interdisciplinary work, the study finds only a marginal 0.48% increase in collaboration between structural biology and computer science. No measurable effects were observed in collaborations involving other disciplines. This limited impact is attributed to the specific technical demands of AI, which create collaboration needs only with certain fields. Furthermore, factors such as technological democratization reduce the necessity for extensive interdisciplinary partnerships. The findings challenge the assumption that AI inherently fosters broad interdisciplinary collaboration. They highlight that AI’s role in bridging disciplinary divides is constrained and context-dependent. The study implies that additional strategies beyond AI adoption are required to promote meaningful interdisciplinary research. Policymakers and research institutions should consider these nuances when encouraging AI-driven collaboration initiatives.
👉 Pročitaj original: arXiv AI Papers
