Generative AI Policies

Authors are encouraged to declare the use of generative AI in scientific writing upon submission of the paper. The following guidance refers only to the writing process, and not to the use of AI tools to analyse and draw insights from data as part of the research process: Generative AI and AI-assisted technologies should only be used in the writing process to improve the readability and language of the manuscript. The technology must be applied with human oversight and control and authors should carefully review and edit the result, as AI can generate authoritative-sounding output that can be incorrect, incomplete or biased. Authors are ultimately responsible and accountable for the contents of the work.

Authors must not list or cite AI and AI-assisted technologies as an author or co-author on the manuscript since authorship implies responsibilities and tasks that can only be attributed to and performed by humans. The use of generative AI and AI-assisted technologies in scientific writing can be declared by adding a statement at the end of the manuscript when the paper is first submitted. The statement will appear in the published work and should be placed in a new section before the references list. The declaration does not apply to the use of basic tools, such as tools used to check grammar, spelling and references. If you have nothing to disclose, you do not need to add a statement.

 

【Example of AI Declaration Statement】

Declaration of generative AI and AI-assisted technologies in the writing process: During the preparation of this work the author(s) used [NAME TOOL / SERVICE] in order to [REASON]. After using this tool/service, the author(s) reviewed and edited the content as needed and take(s) full responsibility for the content of the published article.

Generative AI and Figures, Images and Artwork

We do not permit the use of Generative AI or AI-assisted tools to create or alter images in submitted manuscripts. The only exception is if the use of AI or AI-assisted tools is part of the research design or methods (for example, in the field of biomedical imaging). If this is the case, such use must be described in a reproducible manner in the methods section, including the name of the model or tool, version and extension numbers, and manufacturer. The use of generative AI or AI-assisted tools in the production of artwork such as for graphical abstracts is not permitted.

Requirements for Editors and Reviewers:
It is prohibited to upload any unpublished manuscripts to any generative AI tool, in order to protect authors' rights and the confidentiality of the research. AI tools may be used to improve the linguistic expression of review reports, but must not disclose the content of the manuscript.

Consequences of Violations:

Failure to disclose AI use, AI-generated citation fabrication, or AI-generated images without required declaration → the manuscript will be returned or rejected.

Listing AI as a co-author, or using AI to generate core scientific content without verification → the authors will be disqualified from submitting to this journal for a specified period.