The Use of Generative Artificial Intelligence

This policy establishes the standards for the ethical and transparent use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools in the preparation, submission, review, and publication of manuscripts within this journal. It aims to maintain research integrity, transparency, and accountability in all stages of the publication process.

The policy applies to all authors, reviewers, editors, and staff involved in the publication process. It governs the use of generative AI tools, including but not limited to AI-assisted writing, coding, image generation, and data analysis.

Generative AI tools have become increasingly powerful in assisting with research and writing. However, their misuse can lead to issues such as plagiarism, data fabrication, and authorship ambiguity. This policy ensures that AI use complements, not replaces, human intellectual contribution and ethical responsibility.

Definitions

Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI): Refers to systems capable of producing original text, images, data, code, or other content based on training on large datasets (e.g., ChatGPT, Bard, Copilot, Gemini).

Large Language Models (LLMs): A subclass of AI systems trained on extensive textual data to generate human-like responses in natural language.

AI-Assisted Tools: Includes grammar checkers, translation engines, data visualization assistants, and reference managers that use AI features but do not generate novel research content.

Human Author and Accountability: Refers to the individual responsible for the intellectual content of the manuscript, ensuring all information, including that generated by AI, is accurate, ethical, and original.

Acceptable Use of Generative AI

Authors may use AI tools to improve grammar, clarity, and style or to assist with language translation. However, such use must be disclosed, and the authors remain fully responsible for the final content.

The use of AI algorithms or models for legitimate scientific analysis is acceptable if appropriately validated and described in the Methods section. All models, parameters, and datasets must be transparent and reproducible.

AI-generated or AI-enhanced figures, illustrations, or graphical abstracts are permitted only if clearly labeled as such and do not misrepresent original data.

Editors and reviewers may use AI tools for grammar checking or summarizing, provided confidentiality of the manuscript is preserved. Uploading manuscript content to public AI platforms is strictly prohibited.

Prohibited or Restricted Uses

Any undisclosed use of AI-generated text, images, or data is considered a breach of research integrity and may lead to manuscript rejection or retraction.

Use of AI to fabricate data, falsify images, or plagiarize text constitutes scientific misconduct.

AI tools must not be used to generate synthetic results or alter raw data unless the method is an integral, validated part of the research.

AI tools cannot be listed as authors or co-authors, as they cannot take responsibility for submitted work.

Disclosure Requirements

Authors must include a clear statement in the manuscript’s Acknowledgments or Methods section if AI tools were used in any capacity. For example:

“Portions of this manuscript were assisted using ChatGPT (OpenAI, San Francisco, CA, USA) for language refinement. The authors reviewed and verified all AI-generated content.”

Failure to disclose AI use may result in rejection prior to publication or retraction post-publication if discovered later.

Authorship and Accountability

Only human contributors who meet authorship criteria may be credited. AI systems do not meet these criteria under ICMJE or COPE standards.

Authors are responsible for ensuring the accuracy, originality, and ethical compliance of any AI-assisted material.

Editors reserve the right to request details of how AI tools were used and to evaluate the appropriateness of their application.

Editorial and Peer Review Use of AI

Editors may use AI tools to assist in editorial decision-making (e.g., language checking or metadata generation) but not for confidential or judgment-based assessments.

Reviewers must not input manuscript text or data into public AI systems. Internal, privacy-compliant AI tools may be used only for linguistic support or summarization.

Editors and reviewers are reminded that AI systems may retain user data; therefore, uploading confidential manuscripts is a violation of peer review ethics.

AI-Generated Images, Graphs, and Data

All AI-generated visual materials must be clearly labeled as such in figure captions or legends.

Editors may request raw data or original image files to confirm authenticity.

Authors must ensure that AI-generated visuals do not infringe on third-party copyrights or contain unauthorized elements from training datasets.

AI-Generated Text and Plagiarism Screening

All manuscripts undergo similarity screening. The journal reserves the right to use AI-detection tools to assess text authenticity.

If substantial AI-generated content is suspected, the editorial team may request clarification or reject the manuscript.

Authors may appeal decisions related to AI misuse by providing evidence of originality and compliance with this policy. Any appeal can be submitted to halo@etflin.com

Ethical and Legal Considerations

All manuscripts must adhere to COPE, ICMJE, and other relevant ethical guidelines.

Authors must ensure that AI-assisted materials respect copyright and licensing laws, including AI training data rights.

Uploading sensitive or identifiable information into AI tools that store data externally violates privacy standards.

Policy Implementation and Enforcement

The editorial board has the authority to interpret and enforce this policy during manuscript evaluation.

Violations may lead to manuscript rejection, publication retraction, or notification of the authors’ institution.

This policy will be reviewed annually to reflect emerging technologies and evolving best practices in scholarly publishing.