Opportunities and Challenges of Applying Artificial Intelligence in Research and Encyclopedia Compilation in the Digital Era

Abstract

With the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence (AI), particularly large language models (LLMs), new opportunities are emerging for encyclopedia research and compilation. This paper analyzes AI’s potential to assist researchers in information retrieval, data collection, and processing; to support the construction of frameworks, content generation, and entry compilation; and to enhance productivity by shortening timelines and detecting errors - the processes that traditionally demand substantial time and human resources. However, alongside these clear benefits, AI’s application in this field also raises several challenges, including the accuracy and reliability of AI‐generated data; the risk of overreliance on technology and diminished critical thinking among scholars; and issues related to copyright, research ethics, and authorship attribution for AI’s produced content. Based on these considerations, the paper proposes a set of solutions to harness AI’s potential effectively while upholding the academic standards and ethical requirements essential to encyclopedia compilation in the digital era.