OpenAI's new Prism tool embeds ChatGPT into LaTeX editors for scientific papers, signaling AI's shift from curiosity to core workflow for researchers worldwide.
OpenAI has unveiled Prism, a groundbreaking tool that integrates ChatGPT directly into scientific writing workflows, marking what the company believes will be a pivotal year for AI adoption in research.The free tool embeds OpenAI's latest GPT-5.2 model into LaTeX editors, the standard platform scientists use for formatting academic papers. With a ChatGPT interface positioned at the bottom of the screen, researchers can seamlessly access AI assistance for drafting text, managing citations, converting whiteboard sketches into equations, or discussing complex hypotheses."I think 2026 will be for AI and science what 2025 was for AI in software engineering," said Kevin Weil, head of OpenAI for Science, drawing parallels to the transformative impact of AI coding assistants. "We're starting to see that same kind of inflection."The timing appears strategic. OpenAI reports that 1.3 million scientists globally submit over 8 million weekly queries to ChatGPT on advanced scientific topics—a clear signal that AI has evolved from experimental curiosity to essential research infrastructure.Early adopters are already seeing tangible benefits. Roland Dunbrack, a biology professor at Fox Chase Cancer Center, notes that while he primarily uses AI for coding, it has become invaluable for rapidly synthesizing literature. "It used to hallucinate references but does not seem to do that very much anymore," he observed.Similarly, UC Berkeley statistician Nikita Zhivotovskiy describes AI as "extremely helpful for quick summarization of research articles, making interaction with the scientific literature smoother." The technology also assists with mathematical proofreading and general feedback on manuscript quality.Prism represents OpenAI's broader strategy of embedding AI into everyday professional tools, following products like Atlas (browser integration) and competing with Microsoft and Google's office suite integrations. However, some researchers had hoped for more revolutionary capabilities—perhaps an AI that could independently make scientific discoveries.Weil acknowledges these expectations but advocates for a different vision. Rather than seeking singular breakthrough moments, he envisions AI enabling "10,000 advances in science that maybe wouldn't have happened or wouldn't have happened as quickly." This incremental acceleration model may prove more transformative than any single dramatic discovery.As scientific publishing grapples with concerns about AI-generated content quality, Prism's launch raises important questions about maintaining research integrity while embracing productivity gains. The tool's success will likely depend on how effectively it enhances human scientific reasoning rather than replacing it.Source: MIT Technology Review
