Scientists have a bad case of AI FOMO, <i>Nature</i> poll reveals

A poll conducted by Nature and published online on June 9, 2026, revealed that nearly half of responding scientists hold negative sentiments towards artificial intelligence. Despite this general negativity, a significant portion of these scientists acknowledge that certain AI tools offer distinct advantages over others. The survey, which gathered responses from a broad spectrum of scientific disciplines, indicated a complex relationship between researchers and AI technologies, suggesting that the perceived utility and application of AI tools heavily influence individual opinions. This nuanced perspective highlights a growing awareness within the scientific community about the potential benefits and drawbacks of integrating AI into research workflows. The findings underscore the ongoing debate surrounding AI's role in scientific advancement and the need for careful consideration of its implementation across various fields. The poll's results are detailed in Nature's online publication, doi:10.1038/d41586-026-01690-7.