Cactus Communications

Join us in creating a global community where every voice counts and language isn't a barrier. Let's make a difference together! Join here: twitter.com/i/communities/… #InclusiveResearch #ResearchInclusion

A proud moment for us, and a meaningful one for India’s AI journey. We have been empaneled by the National e-Governance Division under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, Government of India, as a partner agency to provide specialized AI/ML expertise for national digital initiatives. As the Viksit Bharat vision gains momentum, the focus is shifting from exploring AI to putting it to work. In this role, CACTUS will support ministries and departments in building and operationalizing AI systems that are practical, reliable, and designed for scale. It’s a step that reflects both trust and responsibility, and one we take seriously as we continue to work at the intersection of technology, governance, and real-world impact. Here’s the full announcement. Take a closer look: thehindubusinessline.com/info-tech/it-m…

As a publishing community, we’ve reached a turning point. The conversation is no longer about whether to adopt AI or address bias, it’s about how thoughtfully we do both. At the Council of Science Editors Annual Meeting 2026, these questions take center stage. What does it really mean to deploy AI in editorial workflows without compromising judgment? Can peer review truly evolve if we don’t actively confront the biases built into it? Chirag Jay Patel will be contributing to both sides of this conversation, bringing practical insights from real-world implementations of AI, while also engaging in a critical dialogue on fostering diversity and equity across peer review systems. These aren’t parallel challenges. They are deeply connected. The future of publishing depends on how well we balance scale with scrutiny and innovation with responsibility. If you’re attending CSE, we’d welcome the opportunity to continue this conversation in person both inside and beyond the session rooms.

Our CEO has a new feature out and it’s one worth your attention! Akhilesh Ayer, our CEO is featured in the latest issue of All About Book Publishing, where he shares his perspective on Reimagining Scholarly Publishing Through AI, Technology and Global Collaboration. In the interview, he reflects on how publishing is evolving in response to scale, complexity and rising expectations. From the role of AI in strengthening research integrity and streamlining workflows, to the importance of human expertise in maintaining quality and trust, the conversation brings together the realities and possibilities shaping the industry today. He also touches on how global collaboration and more connected systems can make research more accessible, discoverable and impactful. A meaningful feature for us and a conversation that feels especially relevant right now. Have a look (Pages 10–12): res.cloudinary.com/dt32kcsqj/imag…

📢Big News: Imagetwin is now integrated into CACTUS workflows. Imagetwin is embedded within Paperpal Preflight, CACTUS’ editorial integrity and workflow efficiencies solution. This integration enables early-stage image integrity checks for duplication, manipulation, plagiarism and AI-generated visuals built directly into existing processes. Image-related issues are often complex and easy to miss through manual review alone. Hence by embedding Imagetwin into our workflows, we are enabling teams to screen figures more reliably, strengthen quality checks and make more informed editorial decisions without adding extra steps. This marks a step forward in making integrity a consistent, scalable part of the process rather than a late-stage intervention. Read the full announcement to learn more: cactusglobal.com/media-center/c… #ResearchIntegrity #ScholarlyPublishing #AcademicPublishing #ImageIntegrity #PublishingInnovation #AIinPublishing #AcademicPartnership

We’re delighted to share that we’re finalists at the Society for Scholarly Publishing EPIC Awards 2026 in two categories!🎉 The first is for SmartScreen by Paperpal Preflight. The idea here is simple - catch issues before a manuscript is submitted, not after it’s already in review. In our work with publishers, pre submission screening has helped flag gaps in compliance, structure and integrity early, when authors can still fix them. That means fewer avoidable delays and stronger submissions going into peer review. This case study, developed with @Wolters_Kluwer, breaks down what that looks like in practice and the kind of impact it’s having: editingservices.lww.com/case-studies/a… The second is for the AGU Author Video Series. We turned detailed research into short, engaging videos that are easier to follow, helping more people understand and connect with the work without needing to go through the full paper first. Two categories. Two finalists. We’re thrilled to see our work getting recognized. Best of luck and congratulations to all the other finalists as well. #SSP2026 #ScholarlyPublishing #ResearchIntegrity #AcademicPublishing #ResearchCommunication

Team CACTUS is looking forward to being part of the conversation at the STM US Annual Conference 2026. This year’s theme, “Scientific Publishing & the Industrial Shift: Are We Future-Ready?”, is both timely and necessary. The shift is already underway. AI is changing how research is handled, expectations around integrity are rising and workflows are being pushed to keep pace. The real challenge is not adopting new tools, it is building systems that hold up under these new demands. Systems that are reliable, efficient and capable of scaling without compromising quality. Nikesh Gosalia, Chirag J. Patel and Siddharth Bhatia will be there, engaging with the community and contributing to these conversations with a practical, experience-led perspective. If you’re attending, we would love the opportunity to connect and exchange views. #STMSpring2026 #ScientificPublishing #FutureReadyPublishing #ResearchIntegrity #AIinPublishing #ScholarlyPublishing #AcademicPublishing

Wishing everyone a Happy Easter!🐇 Not all hunts are seasonal. Across research, publishing, and enterprise, what matters most is identifying what is not immediately visible like gaps, risks, inefficiencies, and missed opportunities that can influence outcomes at every stage. As workflows become more complex and systems more interconnected, the ability to surface these insights early becomes critical to ensuring accuracy, integrity, and impact. This Easter, we wish you a season of renewal, fresh perspectives and continued progress while we remain focused on finding what strengthens how knowledge is created, validated, and shared, enabling outcomes that are not just faster, but more reliable and meaningful.

Who needs April Fool’s when these challenges are already part of everyday workflows. AI outputs that appear reliable but require careful validation. Peer review timelines that struggle to keep pace with research. Submissions that meet formal requirements yet carry underlying risks. High-quality research that still goes unnoticed. These are not edge cases. They reflect how current systems operate. As publishing becomes more complex and interconnected, addressing these challenges will require more than incremental improvements. It calls for a shift toward workflows that are not only efficient, but also transparent, reliable and built for scale. At CACTUS, we are focused on enabling that shift- strengthening research integrity, improving workflow efficiency, and ensuring that knowledge reaches the audiences it is meant to serve. #ScholarlyPublishing #ResearchIntegrity #AIinPublishing #AcademicPublishing #PeerReview #ResearchWorkflows #PublishingInnovation #AIinResearch

If users no longer click, what happens to discovery? AI-driven search is steadily reshaping how information is accessed, delivering answers directly within search environments and reducing the need to visit original sources. For publishers, libraries and scholarly platforms, this shift raises important questions around visibility, engagement and long-term value. To better understand this evolving landscape, Kudos is leading “Taming the Crocodile” which is a global study examining the impact of AI-driven, zero-click discovery on the scholarly ecosystem. We are proud to contribute to this effort alongside IEEE, ProQuest, AIP Publishing plus many more. Understanding how discovery is changing is the first step toward responding to it, strategically and effectively. Read the full announcement here: blog.growkudos.com/news/ai-zero-c… #ScholarlyPublishing #AcademicPublishing #ResearchDiscovery #AIinResearch #ResearchVisibility #ScholarlyCommunication #PublishingInnovation #AIinPublishing #Partneship

What does a modern academic library need to look like today? In the latest episode of Insights Xchange, Nikesh Gosalia sits down with Doug Way, Dean of Libraries at the University of Kentucky, to discuss how libraries are evolving to meet changing research needs from access and logistics to supporting a more diverse and dynamic research community. It’s a conversation that looks closely at how institutions are adapting in real time. The episode is live now. Don’t miss it. Tune in here: YouTube: youtu.be/CoApUTt9VNE Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/wha…… Spotify: open.spotify.com/episode/5x8Bpg… YouTube Music: music.youtube.com/watch?v=8y99qQ… #AcademicLibraries #ScholarlyPublishing #ResearchInnovation #AcademicPodcast #ResearchCommunity #InsightsXchange

Libraries have always been at the center of knowledge, but what does their role look like as research, access and technology continue to evolve? In the upcoming episode of Insights Xchange, Nikesh Gosalia is in conversation with Doug Way, Dean of Libraries at the University of Kentucky, on how academic libraries are rethinking access, discovery and the way they support researchers and communities. If you’re thinking about how institutions are adapting to changing user needs and expectations, this is a conversation worth tuning into. The episode drops tomorrow. Stay tuned! #AcademicLibraries #ScholarlyPublishing #ResearchInnovation #AcademicPodcast #ResearchCommunity #InsightsXchange

Proud to be the Silver Sponsor at AIDL 2026 (Accessible and Inclusive Digital Library) at Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad, March 6-7! This powerhouse two-day symposium had experts from library, academia, and industry. The main aim was to dive into assistive tech innovations, digital accessibility, and inclusive knowledge systems. We showcased our suite os tools including Paperpal, Mind the Graph, R Discovery and Journal Finder and Paperpal earned great feedback from the attendees! From inspiring keynotes to hands-on demos, it spotlighted equitable digital ecosystems - reinforcing our dedication to accessible learning for all. #AIDL2026 #DigitalAccessibility #InclusiveTech #IITHyderabad #Paperpal

In the latest episode of Insights Xchange, Nikesh Gosalia sits down with Tim Flagg, CEO of the UK AI Council, to unpack how governments, businesses and institutions can prepare people for the realities of an AI-driven world. The discussion looks at AI literacy, workforce readiness, the role of education and apprenticeships, and what responsible leadership looks like in this moment of change. If you’re thinking about what this means for skills, education, leadership and the future of workplaces, this conversation might resonate with you. The episode is live now. Tune in here: YouTube: youtu.be/-XZXUvlFfBc Apple Podcast: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ai-…… Spotify: open.spotify.com/episode/1Bn1Jo… YouTube Music: music.youtube.com/watch?v=URwpid… This is a conversation you won’t want to miss! #ArtificialIntelligence #AIinResearch #ResearchInnovation #AcademicPodcast #scholarlypublishing #ResearchCommunity #AcademicPublishing #InsightsXchange

AI has become part and parcel of our lives. No matter how much we try to avoid it, it is already embedded in how we live and work. The real focus now is on ensuring that our skills, education systems and workplaces keep pace with it so we can use AI to our advantage. In the upcoming episode of Insights Xchange, Nikesh Gosalia speaks with Tim Flagg, CEO of the UK AI Council, about what it takes to build real AI capability across the workforce. They discuss the need for earlier education, broader AI literacy, apprenticeships and leadership that is willing to learn and adapt as the technology evolves. At CACTUS, these are questions we engage with closely through our work with publishers, researchers and institutions. Through solutions like Paperpal, Paperpal Preflight and our broader AI Solutions suite, we support research and publishing workflows at the intersection of AI and human expertise. We believe in combining advanced AI capabilities with expert human oversight, while keeping research integrity, ethics and responsible use at the center. Stay tuned. The episode drops tomorrow! #scholarlypublishing #ResearchCommunity #AcademicPublishing #artificialintelligence #AISkills #AIinResearch #ResearchInnovation #AcademicPodcast

We’re pleased to share that our CEO, Akhilesh Ayer, has authored a thought-provoking article featured in The Hindu. As India’s research ecosystem continues to evolve, one important question deserves attention: Are Indian universities preparing students for the world of academia? In the piece, he reflects on the transition many students face when they first encounter independent research, the gaps in early research exposure and the broader institutional and policy shifts needed to better equip students for global academic environments. Read the full article below: thehindu.com/education/are-… #HigherEducation #AcademicResearch #ResearchCulture #IndianUniversities #ResearchInIndia #EducationPolicy #GlobalAcademia #ThoughtLeadership

Are Indian universities preparing students for the world of academia?@AkhileshAyer, CEO of @Cactusglobal, writes. #Students #HigherEducation #ResearchReadiness thehindu.com/education/are-…

We are pleased to continue our collaboration with Taylor & Francis to support authors in preparing manuscripts for journal submission. Through Paperpal Preflight, authors receive detailed language feedback, including suggestions on grammar, clarity and overall flow, helping them strengthen their manuscripts before editorial review and peer review. Our Chief Partnership Officer, Nikesh Gosalia, said: “With increasing submission volumes, preserving the integrity of scholarly research has never been more important. The renewal of our collaboration with Taylor & Francis reflects their continued commitment to investing in solutions that enhance consistency, efficiency, and quality across editorial workflows. Sustained partnerships like this are critical to shaping editorial systems that support both volume and quality in an evolving research landscape.” We look forward to continuing to support authors in sharing their work with confidence. Learn more about the partnership in the press release below: cactusglobal.com/media-center/t… #AcademicPublishing #ResearchCommunication #PeerReview #AIinResearch #ResearchSupport #AcademicWriting #ResearchCommunity #PublishingPartnerships

For centuries, many women in research fought to have their names attached to their discoveries. French mathematician Sophie Germain made groundbreaking contributions to number theory and Fermat’s Last Theorem, but because women were excluded from academic circles, she published under the pseudonym or ‘nom de plume’ - “M. LeBlanc.” Throughout history, many other women used pseudonyms or initials simply to ensure their work would be read, reviewed and taken seriously in a world where women’s scholarship was often overlooked. Their stories are reminders of how far the research ecosystem has come and why visibility and recognition still matter. This International Women’s Day, at CACTUS, we celebrate the women whose curiosity, resilience and discoveries continue to shape the future of research and scholarly publishing. #InternationalWomensDay #WomenInResearch #WomenInScience #WomenInSTEM #ScholarlyPublishing #AcademicPublishing #ResearchCommunity #IWD2026 #WomensDay

Dearest Gentle Reader, The season is upon us and while society may be preparing for Bridgerton, we are preparing for London. Team CACTUS will be in London for #LBF2026, joining one of the most distinguished gatherings in publishing. We look forward to the conversations.

Looks like London is quickly becoming familiar territory for Team CACTUS this month. Before we return for LBF, we’re first headed to the Researcher to Reader Conference. At this year’s conference, Nikesh Gosalia will be taking the stage to examine one of the most consequential questions facing scholarly publishing today: Does AI promote equity or division? His session will explore whether AI is genuinely democratizing access to global knowledge or reinforcing existing digital biases, and what responsible, thoughtful adoption should look like across research and publishing ecosystems. Joining the conference is also, Chris Leonard who will participate in a panel discussion focused on peer review looking closely at how the process can better serve researchers, authors, and readers alike. The discussion will address what stakeholders truly want from peer review and how it can evolve to be more transparent, constructive, and trustworthy. If you’re attending the #R2RConf, we’d be glad to connect before London calls us back again.