Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40968279›Full record

ReviewNature communications2025

Risks of AI scientists: prioritizing safeguarding over autonomy.

Xiangru Tang, Qiao Jin, Kunlun Zhu, Tongxin Yuan, Yichi Zhang, Wangchunshu Zhou, Meng Qu, Yilun Zhao, Jian Tang, Zhuosheng Zhang and 4 more

Abstract readReview
In one paragraph

Review in Nature communications, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 11 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
11citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

11 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
  2. Review
  3. Article
  4. Review
  5. Review
  6. Review
  7. [Application and progress of artificial intelligence agents in drug development].Zhejiang da xue xue bao. Yi xue ban = Journal of Zhejiang University. Medical sciences · 2026
    Review
  8. Article
  9. Article
  10. Article
  11. Safeguarding large language models: a survey.Artificial intelligence review · 2025
    Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

14 authors.

Xiangru TangDepartment of Computer Science, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA.ORCID http://orcid.org/0009-0006-2700-4513
Qiao JinDivision of Intramural Research, National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-1268-7239
Kunlun ZhuMila-Quebec AI Institute, Montréal, QC, Canada.ORCID http://orcid.org/0009-0009-9107-7401
Tongxin YuanShanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China.ORCID http://orcid.org/0009-0004-8167-8311
Yichi ZhangDepartment of Computer Science, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA.
Wangchunshu ZhouOPPO Research Institute, Shenzhen, China.
Meng QuMila-Quebec AI Institute, Montréal, QC, Canada.
Yilun ZhaoDepartment of Computer Science, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-7470-6124
Jian TangMila-Quebec AI Institute, Montréal, QC, Canada.
Zhuosheng ZhangShanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-4183-3645
Arman CohanDepartment of Computer Science, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA.
Dov GreenbaumReichman University, Herzliya, Israel.
Zhiyong LuDivision of Intramural Research, National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0001-9998-916X
Mark GersteinDepartment of Computer Science, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA. pi@gersteinlab.org.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-9746-3719

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

AI scientists powered by large language models have demonstrated substantial promise in autonomously conducting experiments and facilitating scientific discoveries across various disciplines. While their capabilities are promising, these agents also introduce novel vulnerabilities that require careful consideration for safety. However, there has been limited comprehensive exploration of these vulnerabilities. This perspective examines vulnerabilities in AI scientists, shedding light on potential risks associated with their misuse, and emphasizing the need for safety measures. We begin by providing an overview of the potential risks inherent to AI scientists, taking into account user intent, the specific scientific domain, and their potential impact on the external environment. Then, we explore the underlying causes of these vulnerabilities and provide a scoping review of the limited existing works. Based on our analysis, we propose a triadic framework involving human regulation, agent alignment, and an understanding of environmental feedback (agent regulation) to mitigate these identified risks. Furthermore, we highlight the limitations and challenges associated with safeguarding AI scientists and advocate for the development of improved models, robust benchmarks, and comprehensive regulations.

Indexed as

Artificial IntelligenceResearch PersonnelHumans

Identifiers

PMID40968279
PMCPMC12446425

What Socratic holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.