Generative AI Author Policy
Policy on the Use of Generative AI and AI-assisted Technologies
Authors may use generative AI and AI-assisted technologies in manuscript writing only to improve the language and readability of their own text. Such use must be disclosed, identifying the tool and its purpose.
Authors must review the output and remain fully responsible for the accuracy, originality and references in their submission. AI tools cannot be listed as authors or used to fabricate research data, findings or references.
Basic spelling, grammar, punctuation and reference-formatting checks do not require disclosure. Generative rewriting does require disclosure.
This writing policy does not prohibit AI as a research method. Where AI forms part of the research, its use must be clearly described in the methodology.
What the Rule Means
- Permitted writing assistance: you may use generative AI to improve the expression and readability of text you have written, with disclosure and your own checking. Disclosure does not make fabricated writing or research acceptable.
- Author responsibility: the research, reasoning and conclusions must be your own. Check facts and citations; a tool cannot take authorship of or responsibility for your submission.
- Basic-tool exception: routine checks of spelling, grammar, punctuation or reference formatting do not need a declaration. If a tool generates or rewrites text beyond these checks, disclose it. A feature labelled "grammar" still requires disclosure if it rewrites your text.
- Research methods: if AI is a research tool or part of your study, explain its role and relevant reproducibility details in your methodology. Research about AI is welcome.
How to Disclose
| Material | How to disclose |
|---|---|
| Abstract-only submission | Use the separate AI-use declaration in the submission form. It is not counted in, or added to, your abstract. |
| Full paper at first submission | Use the declaration in the submission form and include the same statement in your manuscript immediately before the References. |
| Revised abstract or later full paper | Include the declaration with your revised material, following the update instructions in your email or in Help & Support. A full paper also contains the statement before the References. |
| AI used as a research method | Describe it in your methodology. For an abstract-only submission, describe it in the abstract's methods wording, which counts toward the abstract length. No full paper is needed for this. Declare any writing assistance separately. |
If you need to correct a declaration, use the update instructions in your email or Help & Support while the relevant update window or reviewer deadline is open. If that window is closed or the publication has been finalised, please contact us. A declaration does not reopen a deadline or guarantee a change to a published output.