AI 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 careful checking. Disclosure does not make fabricated text, data or references acceptable.
Author responsibility
The research, reasoning and conclusions must be your own. Verify every fact and citation; a tool cannot take authorship or responsibility for your work.
Basic tools
Routine spelling, grammar, punctuation and reference-formatting checks need no declaration. If a tool rewrites or generates text beyond these checks, disclose it, even if described as a grammar tool.
Research methods
If AI is part of your study, explain its role and relevant reproducibility details in your methodology. Research about AI is welcome.
How to Disclose
| Your material | How to disclose |
|---|---|
| Abstract-only submission | Use the separate AI-use declaration in the submission form. It is not counted in your abstract word limit or added to the abstract. |
| Full paper at submission | Complete the form declaration and include the same statement in your paper immediately before the References. |
| Revised abstract or later full paper | Include the declaration with your revised material, following the update instructions in your confirmation email or Help & Support. A full paper also carries 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 towards the word limit. No full paper is needed for this. Disclose any writing assistance separately. |
The authors used [tool/service] to [describe the language/readability task]. They checked and edited the output and accept responsibility for the submitted content.
To correct a declaration after submission, use the update process while its window is open. If that window has closed or the output has been finalised, contact us. A declaration does not reopen a deadline or guarantee changes to published material. Declarations are kept with the version of the work they relate to.