The surge in artificial intelligence technology is leading to a significant increase in paper retractions, with Chinese underground paper mills at the forefront of this global trend. Wiley has retracted over 11,300 papers from its subsidiary Hindawi’s collection in the past two years, citing research fraud and other reasons for the shutdown. This acquisition of Hindawi by Wiley in January 2021 aimed to enhance publishing options for researchers but uncovered academic publishing scandals within Hindawi.
The rise in paper retractions is alarming, with over 10,000 retractions issued for research articles in 2023 alone, setting a new annual record. This increase in retractions is attributed to the industrialization of fraudulent paper production by paper mills, particularly in countries like China, Russia, Turkey, Egypt, and India. These fraudulent activities threaten the credibility of the academic publishing industry and science as a whole.
The use of artificial intelligence has further escalated the scale of paper fraud, particularly in the biomedical field, where the number of published papers is crucial for the promotion of doctors and scholars. The underground paper mills in China offer comprehensive services for ghostwriting and publishing papers, contributing to a multi-billion dollar industry. Reports indicate that China is a hotspot for academic fraud, with a significant number of retracted papers originating from Chinese scholars.
The prevalence of paper mills poses a serious threat to the integrity of academic research and highlights the need for stricter measures to combat fraudulent practices in the publishing industry.
Widespread Fraud in China
The editorial series “Nine Commentaries on the Communist Party” by The Epoch Times sheds light on the pervasive issue of fraud in China, depicting the nation as a place marked by “fraud, evil, and struggle.”
Even Chinese state media itself acknowledged the prevalence of falsified documents two years ago, stating that “from birth to death, all documents can be falsified.” This includes medical research papers published in esteemed international journals, indicating a culture where fabrication extends beyond just official documents.
In a society where “everything can be faked,” there has been a noticeable shift in the mindset and conduct of the population. Fraud has become commonplace, eroding trust between individuals.
Just a few years ago, a Chinese immigrant in New Zealand, originally from Guangdong, found himself in need of various official documents. He shared with an Epoch Times reporter that he resorted to using a “fake real driver’s license” obtained from China due to a lack of proper documentation. A “fake real driver’s license” refers to a document with accurate information that is not officially issued but rather produced through illicit means.
When questioned about why he didn’t acquire a legitimate license with all the correct details, the immigrant explained that dealing with the authorities was too cumbersome. The bureaucratic process was expensive, time-intensive, and offered no guarantee of a swift resolution. In contrast, the counterfeit version from the black market was a quicker, cheaper alternative that closely resembled the authentic document.
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