Artificial intelligence is increasingly being used in scientific peer review, with some researchers relying on it despite guidance to the contrary. The impact of ai on academic publishing is unclear, with some suggesting it may lead to an increase in mediocre papers, while others see it as a potential tool for advancing research, including in fields like environmental science. The role of ai in scientific peer review is being studied and debated, with some institutions and companies already achieving significant numbers of ai-related peer-reviewed publications.