4. Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI)

We are monitoring the ongoing developments in this area and will update these policies as appropriate.

4.1. AI Authorship

Generative AI or AI-assisted tools cannot be listed as authors. In some cases, authors are not required to provide detailed declarations of AI usage. For example, AI tools may be used to assist with copy editing, improving readability, style, grammar, spelling, punctuation, and tone of human-generated content. However, when AI or AI-assisted tools constitute an integral part of the research methodology or study design—for instance, in biomedical imaging—authors are required to provide a fully reproducible description of AI usage in the Methods section. This description should include details such as the model or tool name, version and extension numbers, and the manufacturer. Responsibility for the final version of the manuscript rests entirely with the human authors, who must confirm that any AI-assisted edits accurately represent their original work.

4.2. Generative AI Images

The use of generative AI or AI-assisted tools to create or modify images in submitted manuscripts is not permitted by the journal. This restriction applies to any action that enhances, obscures, moves, removes, or introduces specific features within an image or figure. However, adjustments to brightness, contrast, or color balance are acceptable, provided that they do not obscure or eliminate any information present in the original image.

However, when AI or AI-assisted tools constitute an integral part of the research methodology or study design—for instance, in biomedical imaging—authors are required to provide a fully reproducible description of AI usage in the Methods section. This description should include details such as the model or tool name, version and extension numbers, and the manufacturer.

The use of generative AI or AI-assisted tools in the production of artwork such as for book or commissioned content covers or graphical abstracts is not permitted.

4.3. AI Use by Peer Reviewers and Editors

The peer review process plays a critical role in scientific publishing. It relies heavily on the reviewers' in-depth subject knowledge and, in some cases, on the nuanced judgment and intuition of human experts. Currently, AI tools cannot fulfill the same role as humans, particularly in providing accurate, unbiased, and rigorous evaluations across all fields. Moreover, there is always a time lag between updates to AI tools and the advancement of cutting-edge research.

For reasons of confidentiality, reviewers and editors must not upload manuscripts, or any portion thereof, to generative AI tools. Doing so may violate the confidentiality and proprietary rights of the journal or its authors and, if the manuscript contains personally identifiable information, could also constitute a breach of data privacy regulations.