Generative AI Policy

Purpose

The Journal recognizes the growing use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies in scholarly research and publishing. This policy aims to promote the responsible, transparent, and ethical use of AI-assisted tools while maintaining the integrity, originality, and accountability of published research. The Journal follows the recommendations of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) and the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE) regarding the use of Generative AI in scientific publishing.

Use of Generative AI by Authors

Authors may use Generative AI tools to improve grammar, language, readability, formatting, or to assist with literature searches, data organization, coding, or other research-support activities. However, authors remain fully responsible for the accuracy, originality, validity, and integrity of all content submitted to the Journal. AI-generated content must be carefully reviewed, verified, and edited by the authors before submission.

Disclosure Requirements

Authors must transparently disclose the use of Generative AI in the preparation of their manuscript. The disclosure should identify the AI tool used, its version (where applicable), the purpose for which it was used, and the extent of its contribution. This information should be included in an appropriate section of the manuscript, such as the Acknowledgements, Methods, or a dedicated AI Disclosure Statement.

Authorship

Generative AI tools cannot be listed as authors or co-authors of a manuscript because they cannot meet the authorship criteria established by ICMJE. AI systems cannot assume responsibility for the integrity of the work, approve the final manuscript, disclose conflicts of interest, or accept accountability for published research. Only human contributors who satisfy recognized authorship criteria may be designated as authors.

Accuracy and Research Integrity

Authors are responsible for verifying all AI-assisted content, including text, references, data summaries, computer code, images, tables, and analyses. The use of AI does not exempt authors from their responsibility to ensure that all information is accurate, properly cited, free from fabrication, falsification, plagiarism, copyright infringement, or other forms of research misconduct.

Confidentiality

Authors, reviewers, and editors must not upload confidential, unpublished, proprietary, or personally identifiable information into publicly available AI systems if doing so could compromise confidentiality, participant privacy, intellectual property, or the integrity of the peer review process.

Use of AI by Peer Reviewers and Editors

Editors and reviewers may use AI tools only for limited administrative or language-support purposes, provided that confidential manuscript information is not disclosed to external AI platforms without appropriate safeguards. Editorial decisions, peer review assessments, and recommendations must always be made independently by qualified human editors and reviewers.

Prohibited Uses

The Journal does not permit the use of Generative AI to fabricate or manipulate research data, generate false citations, create misleading images, falsify results, impersonate authors or reviewers, or engage in any activity that compromises scientific integrity or the peer review process. Any misuse of AI that constitutes research or publication misconduct will be handled in accordance with COPE guidelines.

Editorial Assessment

The Journal reserves the right to request additional information regarding the use of Generative AI during manuscript evaluation. Undisclosed or inappropriate use of AI may result in manuscript rejection, correction, retraction, or other editorial actions consistent with the Journal's publication ethics policies.

Key Requirements

• Authors may use Generative AI only as a support tool, not as a substitute for scholarly judgment.

• The use of AI must be transparently disclosed in the manuscript.

• AI tools cannot be listed as authors or co-authors.

• Authors remain fully responsible for the accuracy, originality, and integrity of all submitted work.

• All AI-generated content, references, code, figures, and analyses must be independently verified.

• Confidential or unpublished manuscript content must not be shared with public AI platforms where confidentiality cannot be guaranteed.

• Editors and reviewers must maintain confidentiality and ensure that AI does not influence editorial or peer review decisions.

• Misuse or undisclosed use of AI may result in editorial action in accordance with COPE and ICMJE guidance.