This policy establishes the requirements for the use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) within the publication process. It has been developed in accordance with international standards set by COPE (Committee on Publication Ethics), and the principles of ethical AI use outlined in the UNESCO Recommendation on the Ethics of AI (2021).
USE OF AI BY AUTHORS
Generative AI may be used only as a supplementary tool and must not:
- replace the author’s research contribution;
- interpret research results;
- produce scientific text on behalf of the author.
Permitted uses:
- linguistic and stylistic editing (e.g., Grammarly, LanguageTool);
- translation (e.g., DeepL, ChatGPT used in translation mode);
- creation of clarifying diagrams and illustrations that do not influence scientific interpretation;
- preparation of draft texts that are subsequently fully reviewed and substantially revised by the author.
Prohibited:
- generating scientific conclusions;
- using fabricated data or AI-generated references;
- concealing the use of AI.
TRANSPARENCY
In accordance with the COPE AI Disclosure Directive, the author is required to:
- state the name, version, and purpose of the AI tool used;
- include this disclosure in the “Materials and Methods” or “Acknowledgements” section.
USE OF AI BY REVIEWERS
Reviewers are strictly prohibited from:
- uploading the manuscript to ChatGPT, Gemini, Copilot or any external AI service;
- using AI to analyse the scientific content of a submission;
- generating reviews, recommendations, or assessments using AI.
Permitted use is limited to stylistic editing of the reviewer’s own text.
USE OF AI BY EDITORS
Editors must uphold confidentiality obligations. AI may be used by editors exclusively for:
- verifying the correctness of references;
- technical organisation or sorting of information;
- preparing standardised or routine communications.
AI-GENERATED CONTENT
Authors must confirm that:
- any AI-generated materials (tables, diagrams, text) have been manually checked;
- no fabricated, erroneous or misleading data are included.
Materials that violate these standards will be rejected or retracted in accordance with the COPE Retraction Guidelines.
SANCTIONS
Violation of this policy may result in:
- rejection of the submission;
- notification of the author’s institution;
- informing relevant regulatory bodies;
- revocation of the author’s right to submit future manuscripts to the journal.
