Guidelines for the Use of Generative AI
The rapid advancement of generative AI tools—including large language models (LLMs)—is transforming how scientific publications are created. We encourage the responsible use of these technologies, aiming for them to enhance researchers' ability to produce high-quality work. AI can be particularly helpful for generating ideas and improving writing, especially for non-native English speakers. However, responsible use must be carefully considered and defined.
Any AI-generated content (text, images, figures, code, etc.) used in an article must be disclosed in the acknowledgments section. The AI tool must be named, and the specific parts of the article using AI must be clearly identified, along with a short explanation of how the AI was used.
Manuscripts under review must not be processed through public AI platforms for tasks such as generating peer review text. Doing so breaches confidentiality, as these systems may retain and learn from the submitted content.
Writing and Revising Manuscripts
AI tools
must not be used to fabricate or manipulate research data, code, figures, or other results. Misuse of AI in this way constitutes scientific misconduct.
That said, AI tools
can be used responsibly to assist in writing and revising manuscripts. Authors remain fully accountable for any AI-generated content, including its accuracy, appropriateness, and ethical use. This means:
- Authors are responsible for avoiding plagiarism, proper citation, and upholding scientific integrity.
- AI tools should not be credited as authors.
- Their use should be transparently disclosed—preferably in the acknowledgments or appropriate section of the paper.
This aligns with the
Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) position:
“Authors are fully responsible for the content of their manuscript, including parts produced with AI, and are liable for any breach of publication ethics.”
(See
COPE Statement)
Furthermore, the
ALLEA European Code of Conduct for Research Integrity (2023) requires researchers to report AI usage according to the standards of their scientific community.
(Available at:
https://allea.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/European-Code-of-Conduct-Revised-Edition-2023.pdf)
Use of AI for Figures and Illustrations
AI-generated illustrations (e.g., conceptual images of future technologies) are allowed if:
- The AI tool and the prompt used to generate the image are disclosed in the figure caption.
- It is clearly stated that the image is an illustration, not real experimental data or developed technology.
- The image does not mislead readers or create unrealistic expectations.
Authors are also responsible for ensuring there is no copyright infringement when using AI-generated figures.
Photo Editing with AI
AI-based photo editing must not mislead readers. Edits like removing irrelevant background clutter are acceptable but must be clearly disclosed in the figure caption. Any form of AI-assisted editing that alters the scientific meaning or interpretation of an image is not permitted.
Using AI for Literature Overviews
Using AI tools to help draft literature reviews or introductions is acceptable, but authors must:
- Verify all AI-generated information through original sources.
- Read and understand referenced materials to avoid hallucinations or inaccuracies.
- Properly credit original ideas and authors, not just secondary summaries.
Language and Text Improvements
AI can be used for language-related tasks such as:
- Grammar and spelling correction
- Shortening text to meet formatting limits
- Translating content
Again, the final responsibility lies with the authors. They must ensure the text remains accurate and ethically sound, regardless of AI involvement.