Generational Divide in AI Adoption for Academic Writing: Evidence From Serbian Social Scientists

Abstract

This cross-sectional study examines a generational divide in the adoption of AI for academic writing among academic researchers in Serbia. A survey of 823 social scientists analyzed usage patterns and measured age-related adoption rates through logistic regression analysis. The findings indicate that 27.2% of researchers employ AI for academic writing, with adoption rates varying significantly by age: 42.9% of researchers in their twenties use these tools, compared to 14.3% of those in their sixties. Researchers aged 23–34 were twice as likely to adopt AI writing tools as those aged 49–80. Each additional year of age reduced the odds of AI adoption by 3.8%, even when controlled for academic title, sex, and workplace type. This age effect persisted while gender and institutional context showed no significant association with adoption. The significant variation in AI adoption across age groups suggests potential shifts in academia. Senior faculty who avoid AI writing tools cannot effectively mentor graduate students who rely on them. Manuscripts now face inconsistent peer review standards; reviewers familiar with AI-assisted writing apply different criteria than those who reject it entirely. Universities face competing demands: junior researchers insist AI tools help them publish enough to secure tenure, yet senior faculty argue that students who depend on these tools never learn to construct arguments or evaluate evidence independently.

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