The hidden cost of open access : artificial intelligence, paywalls and the risk of knowledge inequity

dc.contributor.authorWingfield, Brenda D.
dc.contributor.authorWingfield, Beverly Jane
dc.contributor.emailbrenda.wingfield@up.ac.za
dc.date.accessioned2025-12-03T08:48:58Z
dc.date.available2025-12-03T08:48:58Z
dc.date.issued2025-11
dc.description.abstractSIGNIFICANCE : This Commentary underscores the urgency of rethinking how artificial intelligence systems and publishing models intersect. Rather than focusing solely on efficiency or access, we call attention to structural inequities that shape who is visible in the scholarly record. By highlighting the systemic risks of exclusion, we argue for proactive collaboration between policymakers, publishers and technologists to design frameworks that safeguard equity and inclusivity in the future of academic research.
dc.description.departmentBiochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology (BGM)
dc.description.departmentForestry and Agricultural Biotechnology Institute (FABI)
dc.description.departmentFinancial Management
dc.description.librarianhj2025
dc.description.sdgSDG-17: Partnerships for the goals
dc.description.urihttp://www.sajs.co.za
dc.identifier.citationWingfield, B.D., & Wingfield, B.J. (2025). The hidden cost of open access: Artificial intelligence, paywalls and the risk of knowledge inequity. South African Journal of Science, 121(11/12). https://doi.org/10.17159/sajs.2025/23053.
dc.identifier.issn0038-2353 (print)
dc.identifier.issn1996-7489 (online)
dc.identifier.other10.17159/sajs.2025/23053
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/2263/107068
dc.language.isoen
dc.publisherAcademy of Science of South Africa
dc.rights© 2025. The Author(s). Published under a Creative Commons Attribution Licence.
dc.subjectArtifical intelligence (AI)
dc.subjectOpen access
dc.subjectJournal paywalls
dc.subjectLarge language model (LLM)
dc.subjectKnowledge equity
dc.subjectCommentary
dc.titleThe hidden cost of open access : artificial intelligence, paywalls and the risk of knowledge inequity
dc.typeArticle

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