AI Policy and Guidelines

Artificial Intelligence (AI) Usage Policy for Manuscript Preparation

To uphold the highest standards of academic integrity, transparency, and ethical publishing, authors submitting to our journal must adhere to the following guidelines concerning the use of artificial intelligence (AI) tools during manuscript preparation.

Permitted Uses of AI Tools

Authors may utilize AI tools (e.g., ChatGPT, Grammarly, QuillBot, or other generative or editing software) under the following conditions:

  • For language editing, grammar correction, and formatting assistance

  • To rephrase, improve clarity, or assist with non-substantive writing tasks

  • For idea generation, such as outlining or brainstorming

Use of AI in these contexts must not compromise the originality or scholarly rigor of the manuscript.

Prohibited Uses of AI Tools

AI tools must not be used for the following purposes:

  • Generating original scientific content, hypotheses, data interpretation, or conclusions

  • Automated literature reviews or systematic searching

  • Creating data, figures, tables, or images (unless explicitly permitted and properly labeled)

  • Assisting in the peer-review process

Use of AI in these ways constitutes a breach of publication ethics and may result in rejection or further disciplinary action.

Disclosure Requirement

If any AI tools were used during manuscript preparation, full and transparent disclosure is mandatory. Authors must include an "AI Usage Disclosure" at the end of the manuscript or within the Acknowledgements section, specifying:

  • The name(s) of the AI tool(s) used (e.g., ChatGPT, Grammarly)

  • The purpose of AI use (e.g., grammar correction, clarity enhancement)

  • The extent of AI involvement in the manuscript

Important: AI tools such as ChatGPT must not be listed as authors under any circumstances. Authorship is limited to individuals who meet the standard authorship criteria.

Use of ChatGPT and Generative AI Tools

If you have used a generative AI tool such as ChatGPT during the preparation of your submission, you are required to:

  • Clearly identify any AI-generated content within the manuscript

  • Acknowledge the use of the AI tool in the Acknowledgements section

  • Be prepared to provide additional details in the Methods section, if requested

Failure to disclose the use of AI tools may lead to rejection of the manuscript. In published articles, corrective actions will be taken if undisclosed use of AI tools is discovered post-publication.

Author Responsibility

Authors are fully accountable for:

  • The accuracy, integrity, and originality of all content in their manuscript, including sections influenced by AI tools

  • Ensuring AI-assisted writing adheres to the journal’s ethical standards and does not introduce factual inaccuracies or plagiarism

Use of AI tools does not transfer accountability—authors remain the sole guarantors of their work.

AI Content Detection and Editorial Review

As part of the editorial process, submitted manuscripts may be screened using AI content detection tools. If more than 25% of a manuscript is found to be AI-generated, based on detection algorithms and editorial judgment, the manuscript may be rejected without peer review.

Non-Compliance and Ethical Breaches

Non-compliance with this AI policy, including failure to disclose the use of AI tools or deliberate concealment, may result in:

  • Immediate rejection of the submission

  • Withdrawal of published articles

  • Notification to the author’s institution in cases of serious ethical violations

Evolving Policy

This AI usage policy will evolve as AI technologies and editorial standards develop. We encourage authors to check this page regularly for updates and to consult best practices such as the World Association of Medical Editors (WAME) Recommendations on Chatbots, ChatGPT, and Scholarly Manuscripts.

If you have any questions about this policy, please contact the editorial office before submitting your manuscript.