AI Usage Policy
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT THE ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI) USAGE POLICY
- FOR AUTHORS
1.1. Does this policy apply to AI tools used in the research process (e.g., for data analysis)?
No. This policy addresses generative AI and AI-assisted technologies when they are used to generate content for publication. It does not prohibit the use of AI tools in research design or formal research methodologies, including, but not limited to, research design, code development, and data analysis. We acknowledge that the use of such technologies is common across many disciplines. When AI tools are used in this context, their use should be described as part of the research methodology, with specific details provided in the Methods section.
1.2. Why have scholarly journals decided that AI tools cannot be credited as authors of published works?
Authorship entails responsibilities and obligations that can only be undertaken and fulfilled by humans. Each author (or co-author) is responsible for ensuring that any concerns regarding the accuracy or integrity of any part of the work are appropriately addressed. Authorship also requires the ability to approve the final version of the work and consent to its submission for publication. Authors are further responsible for ensuring the originality of the work, confirming that all individuals listed as authors meet the authorship criteria, and ensuring that the work does not infringe upon the rights of any third party.
1.3. Does AI-assisted coding fall within the scope of this policy?
If authors use AI tools to write or edit code during the research process, they must clearly disclose this use in the Methods section and comply with the standards and guidelines specific to their respective disciplines. Standards concerning code validity and reproducibility apply equally, regardless of whether the code was developed with AI assistance.
If authors use AI tools solely to improve the presentation of code in the manuscript (e.g., formatting), the process must remain under human control and supervision, and the use of AI must be acknowledged in the AI disclosure statement.
1.4. Does this policy apply to spelling and grammar checkers?
No. This policy does not apply to tools such as spelling or grammar checkers that may be integrated into word-processing software. Authors may use these tools without disclosing their use. This policy specifically applies to generative AI and AI-assisted tools capable of generating content that may be used for publication.
1.5. Can AI tools be used to organize references and check citations?
Yes. Authors may use AI tools to assist with organizing references and suggesting potential sources. However, authors must carefully review and verify the accuracy, completeness, and objectivity of all AI-generated content. Authors must always check references, as AI-generated information may be inaccurate, contain hallucinations, or be fabricated. Including fabricated references in a manuscript may result in its rejection.
Authors should also note that many traditional reference management software programs (such as Mendeley, EndNote, and others) have now incorporated generative AI features. If these tools are used to organize references without using their generative AI features, disclosure is not required. Conversely, if these tools (or any other AI tools) are used to select, synthesize, generate, or modify references, such use must be clearly disclosed in the manuscript.
1.6. What are some examples of how AI tools may be used during manuscript preparation?
AI tools may be used in a limited and supportive capacity during manuscript preparation, provided that authors retain control and full responsibility for the content. Authors must carefully review and verify all AI-generated outputs and ensure that the final manuscript accurately reflects their own scientific analyses, interpretations, and judgments.
Examples of appropriate uses may include:
- Summarizing research literature to prepare for manuscript writing.
- Assisting with organizing or structuring manuscript content.
- Improving the language, clarity, and readability of text written by the authors.
- Checking the completeness of the manuscript and ensuring compliance with specific guidelines before submission.
- Assisting in the creation of certain types of images.
Authors are responsible for ensuring the accuracy and originality of all content submitted for publication, as well as disclosing their use of AI tools.
Examples of inappropriate uses may include:
- Generating sections of a manuscript without meaningful intellectual contributions from the authors.
- Fabricating or altering research data, results, or references.
- Using AI tools to generate or modify images representing research findings, such as microscopy images, Western blot results, or patient images.
1.7. How should I document my use of AI tools during manuscript preparation?
Just as documenting research procedures contributes to research transparency, documenting the use of AI during manuscript preparation helps ensure transparency and reproducibility.
Authors should maintain separate records of the tools and models used, as well as how these AI tools were utilized. Such records may include saving logs provided by the tools, retaining prompts and generated outputs, and keeping evidence of the content review and editing process (e.g., through tracked changes or annotated drafts).
Authors are required to include a statement in the manuscript describing their use of AI tools during manuscript preparation. Please refer to the disclosure requirements for further information. If requested by the Editorial Board, authors must be able to provide supporting documentation of their AI usage. As practices in this area continue to evolve, standards for acknowledging AI use may also change over time.
1.8. Can I use AI tools for translation?
If you use AI tools to translate text that you have written yourself, you must carefully review the translation to ensure its accuracy and completeness and check for potential bias. The translation should be reviewed by someone proficient in both languages and familiar with the relevant scientific subject matter. As with the use of any AI tool, you must ensure that confidentiality, privacy, and intellectual property rights are protected, and carefully review the tool's terms and conditions before uploading any content. You remain fully responsible for the translated text and must disclose the use of AI tools for any translated sections included in your manuscript.
1.9. Can I directly use AI-generated text in my manuscript?
Although AI tools can assist with the writing process, they must not replace your own scientific judgment, analysis, interpretation, or intellectual contributions.
All AI-generated content must be carefully reviewed and edited before being incorporated into the manuscript. Authors are responsible for verifying the accuracy of the information, independently checking all references, and ensuring that the manuscript accurately reflects their own substantive contributions. Authors remain fully responsible for the final manuscript.
1.10. How can I ensure that my manuscript is accurate and genuinely represents my own work when using AI tools?
AI tools may generate inaccurate, incomplete, or biased information, including fabricated or incorrect references. They may also produce convincing and authoritative-sounding text that does not reflect your own scientific reasoning.
If you use AI assistance in accordance with our author policy, you must carefully review and edit all generated content. This process includes independently verifying factual information, checking the accuracy and reliability of cited sources, and reviewing the content for omissions or unintended bias. You must ensure that the final manuscript accurately reflects your own analyses, interpretations, and conclusions.
AI tools may assist with drafting or improving the clarity of text, but they must never replace your intellectual contributions. Authorship requires accountability for the accuracy and integrity of the work, as well as approval of the final version. You remain fully responsible for all content in the published article, regardless of how that content was generated.
1.11. Where should I disclose my use of generative AI during manuscript preparation, and what information will appear in the published article?
If you use generative AI tools to prepare your manuscript in accordance with our author policy, you must include a separate disclosure statement at the end of the manuscript (immediately before the References section), with a title such as:
"Declaration of the Use of Generative AI and AI-Assisted Technologies in Manuscript Preparation."
Your statement must specify the name of the tool used, the purpose for which it was used, and confirm that you have reviewed the generated output and take full responsibility for its content.
- Suggested template:
During the preparation of this work, the author(s) used [NAME OF TOOL/SERVICE] for [REASON]. After using this tool/service, the author(s) reviewed and edited the content as necessary and take full responsibility for the content of the publication.
This statement will appear in the published article.
Note: Basic tools used for checking spelling, grammar, or punctuation, as well as the routine use of reference management functions, do not need to be disclosed. In addition, authors are not required to disclose the use of AI tools or features in specialized assistive technologies for people with disabilities, provided that these tools are used solely for accessibility purposes.
1.12. Can I use generative AI tools to create images or diagrams for my manuscript?
Generative AI tools may be used to create illustrative images that clarify concepts, processes, or relationships. Authors must verify the accuracy of these images, ensure that they faithfully represent their own ideas and interpretations, and disclose the use of AI in both the figure captions and the manuscript's general AI disclosure statement.
Generative AI tools may also be used to create data visualizations (such as charts, graphs, or heat maps), provided that the outputs are generated directly from original data through reproducible analytical, computational, or statistical methods. When AI tools are used as part of the research design or methodology (including data analysis or the creation of data visualizations), their use must be described in detail in the Methods section in a manner that ensures reproducibility.
AI TOOLS MUST NOT be used to fabricate results, falsify or alter original data, or create images that do not faithfully represent the original data and methods used in the research. AI tools must not be used to generate or modify original research images representing observational or primary experimental data, such as microscopy images, histological images, Western blot images, diagnostic imaging scans, or patient photographs.
1.13. What types of images can I generate using generative AI tools?
The table below summarizes the types of images that may or may not be generated using generative AI tools, as well as where their use must be disclosed.
|
Image Type |
Is the Use of Generative AI Permitted? |
Where Must the Use Be Disclosed? |
|
Illustrative images in articles (flowcharts, conceptual diagrams, schematic drawings, decision trees, timelines, experimental workflows, etc.) |
✔ Permitted |
In the figure caption and the general AI disclosure statement |
|
Data visualizations (e.g., charts, graphs, heat maps) |
✔ Permitted only if generated directly from original data using reproducible methods |
In the Methods section |
|
Original research images (microscopy images, histological images, Western blot images, gel images, diagnostic imaging scans, patient images, etc.) |
✖ Not permitted |
|
|
Images or illustrations generated using AI tools as part of the research methodology (e.g., AI-assisted methods for generating or interpreting core research data, or predictive modeling of clinical outcomes based on patient data) |
✔ Permitted |
In the Methods section |
1.14. Where should I disclose the use of generative AI to create or edit images?
If you have used generative AI tools to create or edit images in your manuscript, you must disclose this use in the caption of each relevant image, including the name of the tool used. Please refer to the following examples:
"Figure 1. Overview of the research design. The initial image was generated using [NAME OF TOOL/SERVICE] and subsequently edited by the authors. All elements were checked for accuracy and completeness."
"Figure 2. Workflow diagram. The draft was generated using [NAME OF TOOL/SERVICE]. The final image was refined and validated by the authors."