AI Usage Policy

 

AI Usage Policy

Policy on the Use of Artificial Intelligence and AI-Assisted Technologies

The journal’s policy regarding the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools is based on the principles established by COPE, WAME, the JAMA Network, ICMJE recommendations, the EU Artificial Intelligence Act, and the Law of Ukraine "On Academic Integrity."

1. For Authors

Permissible Use

Authors may use generative AI and AI-assisted technologies during the writing process solely to improve readability and correct grammatical errors. The application of AI must be conducted under human supervision. Authors are required to meticulously review and edit the output, as AI can generate authoritative-sounding content that may be inaccurate, incomplete, or biased. The authors remain ultimately responsible for the entire content of the work.

Disclosure and Transparency

  • Mandatory Disclosure: Authors must disclose the use of AI in their manuscripts. This statement supports transparency and fosters trust among authors, readers, reviewers, and editors.

  • Authorship Criteria: AI and AI-assisted technologies cannot be listed as an author or co-author, nor can AI be cited as an author. Authorship implies legal and ethical responsibilities that only humans can fulfill, such as ensuring data integrity and approving the final version for submission.

  • Originality: Authors are responsible for ensuring the work is original and does not infringe upon the intellectual property rights of third parties.

Use of AI in Figures, Images, and Illustrations

  • General Prohibition: We do not permit the use of generative AI to create or alter images in submitted manuscripts. This includes enhancing, obscuring, moving, or adding specific features. Standard adjustments to brightness, contrast, or color balance are acceptable, provided they do not obscure or eliminate information present in the original.

  • Exceptions: AI may be used if it is an integral part of the research design or methodology (e.g., AI-assisted imaging for data interpretation in biomedical research). In such cases, the use must be clearly described in the manuscript, including the model name, version number, and manufacturer.

  • Artistic Content: The use of generative AI for graphical abstracts is prohibited. AI-generated cover art may be permitted on a case-by-case basis with prior written approval from the Editor and Publisher.

2. For Reviewers

Peer review is the cornerstone of the scientific ecosystem, requiring critical thinking and original evaluation that exceed the capabilities of current AI.

  • Confidentiality: Reviewers must treat manuscripts as strictly confidential. Do not upload any part of a submitted manuscript into a generative AI tool. Doing so violates the author’s proprietary rights and may breach data privacy laws if personal information is present.

  • Review Reports: This confidentiality extends to the reviewer's report. Reviewers should not use AI to draft or polish their reviews, as this risks the leakage of confidential manuscript details into AI training databases.

  • Integrity: Reviewers are solely responsible for the content of their evaluations. AI-generated reviews carry a high risk of being superficial, biased, or factually incorrect.

3. For Editors

  • Confidentiality: Editors must treat manuscripts and all editorial correspondence as confidential. Submitting manuscripts or decision letters to AI tools is prohibited to protect author privacy and intellectual property.

  • Decision-Making: Editorial judgment and the final decision on a manuscript must be made by humans. AI should not be used to assist in evaluation or decision-making processes, as these tasks require human accountability and nuanced critical thinking.

  • Enforcement: If an Editor suspects a violation of this AI Policy by either an author or a reviewer, they must report the case to the Editorial Board for further investigation.

Note: The Editorial Board reserves the right to use AI-detection software to verify the integrity of submitted content.