'AI-navigating' or 'AI-sinking'? An analysis of verbs in research articles titles suspicious of containing AI-generated/assisted content

Our study investigates the impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI), specifically generative AI technologies (GAI), on the linguistics of academic article titles. Triggered by suspicious of increased usage of specific verbs in article titles, this research hypothesizes that GAI tools may be influencing the language of scientific communication. To explore this hypothesis, we conducted a comprehensive analysis on the frequency and distribution of 15 selected verbs in research article titles, using data extracted from the SCOPUS database spanning 2015 to 2024. The methodology integrates qualitative observations with a bibliometric approach, examining the presence and trends of these verbs across multiple scientific disciplines. The findings reveal a marked increase in these verbs, pointing towards AI's involvement in title generation. We also explore document characteristics, such as disciplinary backgrounds and publication contexts, to gauge AI's impact on academic writing. Furthermore, the research attempts to quantify the extent of AI-assisted title generation. Despite several limitations, this investigation paves the way for future studies to broaden the linguistic and database scope. It underscores the need for establishing AI usage standards in academic publishing, contributing valuable insights into the ongoing dialogue about AI's integration into academic writing.