Artificial intelligence is transforming scientific research at an unprecedented pace, while mega-journals and impact-driven publishing models are reshaping the way knowledge is produced, evaluated, and disseminated. Yet behind this rapid evolution lies a critical question: can science preserve its integrity in an era increasingly dominated by automation, publication pressure, and performance metrics?This editorial explores the growing tensions between innovation and scientific ethics, highlighting how the misuse of AI, the expansion of high-volume publishing, and the obsession with impact factors may threaten the foundational principles of objectivity, transparency, and reproducibility. At the same time, it examines deeper systemic vulnerabilities within academia itself — from the “publish or perish” culture to methodological fragility and incentive structures that often reward quantity over quality.Rather than rejecting technological progress, the article advocates for a balanced and forward-looking approach. It proposes practical strategies to strengthen accountability and restore trust in scientific publishing, including transparent AI reporting standards, broader evaluation metrics that value reproducibility and societal impact, and a renewed emphasis on research quality over publication volume.

By addressing the ethical and structural challenges facing modern academia, this work offers a timely reflection on the future of scientific publishing and calls for a collective effort among researchers, journals, and institutions to protect the credibility of science while embracing transformative innovation.