Peer review has undergone significant transformation over the past few decades, driven largely by digital and technological innovations. Once a slow, paper-based process conducted entirely via postal exchanges, peer review shifted online in the 1990s. Dedicated online peer review platforms revolutionized scholarly publishing by moving manuscript submission and review workflows from paper to secure, remote digital environments. The rise of open-access publishing further accelerated digital workflows, making peer review faster, more transparent, and more accessible across borders.
These advancements promise efficiency and broader participation, but they also introduce new challenges. Issues of reviewer fatigue, inequitable access to digital tools, and debates over transparency versus anonymity complicate the path forward. As we navigate these dilemmas, we invite you to take our peer review survey to help us better understand what the community really think about AI in peer review.
Looking back can give us perspective on how we arrived at this moment. In recent years, tools powered by artificial intelligence have begun assisting with reviewer matching, plagiarism detection, statistical checks, and even the early triage of manuscripts. Let’s begin Peer Review Week 2025, by reflecting on these technological milestones. The below infographic highlights some of the pivotal moments in the technological advancement of peer review.
