Responsible Use of Generative AI

Generative AI, including large language models, can support ideation, language improvement, and responsible manuscript preparation. It does not transfer accountability away from the authors.

Disclosure and accountability

Any AI-generated material used in a submission—including text, images, diagrams, or code—must be disclosed in the acknowledgements. Authors should identify the tool, specify the part of the manuscript in which it was used, and briefly describe how it was used.

Authors remain fully responsible for the accuracy, appropriateness, originality, and ethical use of all submitted content. AI systems cannot be listed as authors. Authors must verify sources, cite original contributions correctly, avoid plagiarism, and maintain research integrity.

Prohibited uses

• AI must not be used to fabricate or manipulate data, code, figures, images, or research results.
• Manuscripts under review must not be uploaded to public AI platforms for tasks such as generating peer-review text, because doing so may breach confidentiality.
• AI-assisted image editing must not alter the scientific meaning or interpretation of an image.

Permitted assistance

AI may assist with grammar and spelling, translation, improving clarity, or shortening text to meet format limits. It may also assist with early drafts of a literature review or introduction, provided that authors verify every factual statement against primary sources and read the cited work themselves.

AI-generated conceptual illustrations may be used when the caption identifies the tool and prompt, states that the image is illustrative rather than experimental evidence, and avoids misleading readers. Authors are responsible for ensuring that such material does not infringe copyright.

This guidance reflects the principle adopted by major research-integrity bodies that authors remain accountable for every part of their manuscript, including AI-assisted content.