Journal defends work with fake AI citations after Hong Kong university launches probe

An academic journal that published a paper containing fictitious AI-generated references has said the work’s core conclusions remained valid despite “some mismatches and inaccuracies” with the citations, following an investigation launched by the University of Hong Kong, where the author is studying for her PhD.

Highlighting concerns raised by this case, veteran journal editor Robert Davison called for better enforceable policies to regulate AI’s role in academic work.

Davison, a professor of information systems at City University, added that while major journals typically had their own policies on the use of artificial intelligence (AI) for academic work, enforcement ultimately depends on editors, who must carefully verify reference lists.

In the paper, titled “Forty years of fertility transition in Hong Kong” and published in China Population and Development Studies on October 17, at least 20 out of 61 references appear to be non-existent.

The paper’s corresponding author, Professor Paul Yip Siu-fai of the social work and social administration department at the University of Hong Kong (HKU), apologised on Sunday on behalf of himself and his PhD student, Bai Yiming.

The allegation first surfaced on social media after a user claimed she “was told by a friend” that many of the paper’s references appeared to be the results of “AI hallucinations”.