The Journal adheres to the “Recommendations on the Use of Artificial Intelligence in Scientific Communication” developed by the European Association of Science Editors (EASE). We regard AI as a convenient and effective tool in the hands of researchers. As with any tool, the results obtained through AI must be carefully verified and interpreted by knowledgeable users. Since AI possesses generative capabilities (such as text creation, data processing, and report generation), it may be misused in the preparation of scientific manuscripts. Therefore, the Journal’s AI policy is closely linked to the principles of publication ethics and plagiarism prevention. Editors rely on authors to voluntarily disclose any use of AI in the preparation of materials submitted to the Journal.
For Authors
Use of AI and AI-Assisted Technologies in Scientific Writing
PLEASE NOTE THAT THESE GUIDELINES APPLY ONLY TO THE WRITING PROCESS AND NOT TO THE USE OF AI TOOLS FOR DATA ANALYSIS OR INFORMATION EXTRACTION AS PART OF THE RESEARCH PROCESS.
If authors use generative AI or AI-assisted technologies during manuscript preparation, such technologies should be used solely to improve readability and correct grammar. AI applications must be employed under human supervision and control, and authors must carefully review and edit all outputs, as AI may generate content that appears authoritative but is inaccurate, incomplete, or biased.
Authors bear full responsibility for the content, accuracy, and originality of all materials created with the assistance of AI.
Authors must disclose the use of AI and AI-assisted technologies in their manuscripts. Such use should be reported in a dedicated “Generative AI Statement” section, specifying the name of the tool and the nature of its use. Disclosure promotes transparency and trust among authors, readers, reviewers, and editors and supports compliance with the terms of use of the relevant AI tool or technology.
Authors must not list AI or AI-assisted technologies as authors or co-authors, nor cite AI as an author. Authorship entails responsibilities and duties that can only be fulfilled by human beings. Each (co-)author is accountable for ensuring that any questions related to the accuracy or integrity of any part of the work are appropriately investigated and resolved. Authorship also requires the ability to approve the final version of the manuscript and consent to its submission. Authors are additionally responsible for ensuring that the work is original and does not infringe upon the rights of third parties. All authors must familiarize themselves with the Journal’s peer-review process and publication ethics requirements before submission.
Use of AI and AI-Assisted Technologies in Figures, Images, and Illustrations
The Journal does not permit the use of generative AI or AI-assisted tools to create or modify images included in submitted manuscripts. This prohibition includes enhancing, obscuring, moving, removing, or adding specific elements within an image or figure. Adjustments to brightness, contrast, or color balance are acceptable only if they do not obscure or eliminate information present in the original image.
The only exception is when the use of AI or AI-assisted tools forms an integral part of the research design or methodology (for example, AI-based imaging approaches used to generate or interpret primary research data, such as in biomedical imaging). In such cases, the use of these tools must be clearly described in the manuscript. Authors must explain how AI or AI-assisted technologies were used in creating or modifying the image and provide the model or tool name, version number, extension, and manufacturer. Authors must comply with all applicable software licensing requirements and ensure proper attribution of content. Where appropriate, authors may be asked to provide pre-AI and/or raw image files used to generate the final submitted figures for editorial evaluation.
The use of generative AI or AI-assisted tools for creating artistic works, including graphical abstracts, is prohibited. The use of generative AI in the creation of journal cover images may be permitted in exceptional cases, provided that the author obtains prior approval from both the Editor and Publisher, can demonstrate that all necessary rights to use the material have been secured, and ensures proper attribution. Failure to comply with this policy may result in rejection or retraction of the article.
For Reviewers
When invited to review a manuscript, reviewers must treat the manuscript as a confidential document. Reviewers must not upload the submitted manuscript, or any part of it, into a generative AI tool, as doing so may compromise authors’ confidentiality and intellectual property rights and, where personal information is involved, may violate data privacy regulations.
This confidentiality requirement also applies to reviewer reports, as they may contain confidential information about the manuscript and/or its authors. For this reason, reviewers must not upload their reviews into AI tools, even for the sole purpose of improving grammar or readability.
Peer review is a cornerstone of the scientific ecosystem, and the Editorial Board upholds the highest standards of integrity in this process. Reviewing a scientific manuscript involves responsibilities that can only be undertaken by humans. Reviewers must not use generative AI or AI-assisted technologies to conduct scientific assessments of manuscripts, as the critical thinking and original judgment required for peer review exceed the capabilities of such technologies. Furthermore, there is a risk that AI may generate inaccurate, incomplete, or biased conclusions. Reviewers remain fully responsible for the content of their reviews.
The Editorial Board’s policy allows authors to use generative AI and AI-assisted technologies before manuscript submission only to improve readability and correct grammar, provided that appropriate disclosure is made.
For Editors
Submitted manuscripts must be treated as confidential documents. Editors must not upload submitted manuscripts, or any part thereof, into generative AI tools, as doing so may compromise authors’ confidentiality and intellectual property rights and, where personal information is involved, may violate data privacy regulations.
This confidentiality requirement extends to all communications regarding manuscripts, including correspondence and decision letters, as such documents may contain confidential information about the manuscript and/or its authors. Therefore, editors must not upload their communications into AI tools, even for the purpose of improving language quality or readability.
Managing the editorial evaluation of scientific manuscripts involves responsibilities that can only be fulfilled by humans. Editors must not use generative AI or AI-assisted technologies to support manuscript evaluation or editorial decision-making, as the critical thinking and independent judgment required for these tasks exceed the capabilities of such technologies. There is also a risk that AI may generate inaccurate, incomplete, or biased conclusions regarding a manuscript. Editors remain fully responsible for the editorial process, editorial decisions, and communication of those decisions to authors.
The Editorial Board’s policy for authors permits the use of generative AI and AI-assisted technologies before manuscript submission only for improving readability and correcting grammatical errors, provided that appropriate disclosure is made. If an editor suspects that an author or reviewer has violated the Journal’s AI Policy, the matter must be reported to the Editorial Board.