Researchers Warn AI Chatbots Are Driving “Decollaboration” as Calls Grow for Human-Led Science

Researchers warn that AI chatbots are driving “decollaboration” by replacing human scientific partners, as Daniel Hook calls for funding workshops and co-location while Dashun Wang urges “pilot-in-command science” that keeps researchers in control of questions, methods and conclusions.

• Daniel Hook warns that AI is driving “decollaboration” in research by making chatbots a frictionless substitute for human collaborators.
• He urges funders and institutions to fund workshops, visits, co-location and unstructured time, and to evaluate contribution rather than publication velocity.
• Dashun Wang’s March 2026 Nature comment advocates “pilot-in-command science,” with researchers retaining control over questions, methods and conclusions while AI agents act as crew.