Generative AI (GenAI) Policy

1. Purpose

This policy sets out what is expected of authors, reviewers and editors for the responsible, transparent and ethical use of generative AI (GenAI).

2. Use of GenAI by authors

Permitted: editing language, improving clarity, help with literature searching, debugging code and support with data visualisation. Such use must not take the place of the authors' own intellectual contribution.

Not permitted: generating research data or conclusions; fabricating or manipulating data or images; altering images that serve as scientific evidence; replacing scientific reasoning; listing a GenAI tool as an author.

3. Disclosure requirement

Authors must disclose any use of GenAI tools, naming the tool and saying what it was used for. Failure to disclose is a breach of publication ethics.

4. Authorship and accountability

A GenAI tool cannot be listed as an author. All named authors must meet the authorship criteria and remain fully accountable for the content.

5. Use by reviewers

Reviewers must not upload manuscripts to public GenAI tools. This protects confidentiality and unpublished work.

6. Use by editors

Editors may use AI tools only for administrative and workflow support, such as plagiarism screening and language checks, and not for making editorial decisions.

7. Ethical concerns and misuse

Suspected misuse is investigated under the Misconduct and Sanctions policy and COPE guidelines.

8. Policy review

This policy is reviewed periodically to keep pace with changing standards and guidance.