AI IN ACADEMIC WRITING

Role of Gen-AI in the Academic Writing: Generative AI tools may be used to improve the readability, grammar, or linguistic style of a manuscript, provided that their use does not alter the scientific meaning or replace the authors' intellectual contribution. Authors remain fully responsible for the accuracy, validity, originality, and integrity of all submitted content.
Disclosure Requirements for AI Use: Authors must disclose any substantive use of generative AI in manuscript preparation. The disclosure should identify the tool or model used and briefly describe how it was used. Where applicable, this information will be included in the published article to ensure transparency.
Generative AI and Authorship: Generative AI tools cannot be listed as authors or co-authors because they cannot assume responsibility for the submitted work, approve the final version, manage conflicts of interest, or be held accountable for the integrity of the publication.

 

AI IN SCIENTIFIC ILLUSTRATIONS, IMAGES, AND ARTWORK

Prohibition on AI-Based Image Modification: In scientific publications, the use of AI to create or alter images used in manuscripts is not permitted. This includes enhancing, masking, removing, or adding specific elements within scientific images. This prohibition aims to prevent manipulation that could obscure or distort the original information in the image. Minor adjustments, such as brightness, contrast, or color balance enhancements, are allowed if they do not alter or remove the original information in the image. These adjustments must be made transparently and should not be used to modify the presented data.
Exceptions in Research Methodology: Exceptions to the prohibition on AI-generated images may be granted if AI is used as part of the research methodology. For example, in biomedical imaging, AI can analyze or interpret image data within a research context. In such cases, authors must explain how AI was used in the Methods section of the manuscript.
This explanation must include:
   •  The name of the AI software or model used.
   •  The version and extension number of the software.
   •  The manufacturer or developer of the AI technology applied.

Editors may request that authors provide pre-AI processed images or raw composite images used in generating the final illustration to ensure that the output meets scientific integrity standards.

Prohibition on AI-Generated Scientific Artwork: The use of AI to generate graphical abstracts, diagrams, or other scientific artwork in publications is not permitted. However, in specific cases, such as cover art production, AI-generated content may be allowed under the following conditions:
   •  Authors must obtain prior approval from the journal editor and publisher.
   •  The rights to the material used must be ensured, with no infringement on third-party copyrights.
   •  Applicable guidelines must provide proper attribution.

Privacy and Data Security Protection: When utilizing AI technology, authors must consider the confidentiality, privacy, intellectual-property, and data-security implications of entering information into generative AI systems. Editors and reviewers must not upload confidential manuscript content to external generative AI systems where confidentiality cannot be assured.