Artificial Intelligence (AI) Policy

For the purposes of this policy, artificial intelligence (AI) refers to generative AI systems capable of producing text, images, code, audio, or other content in response to user prompts.

For Authors

1. Disclosure of AI Use

Authors who have used generative artificial intelligence (AI) tools or other AI-assisted technologies during the preparation of a manuscript are required to disclose such use in their article.

The disclosure should be included in the Materials and Methods section or in the Additional Information section and should specify:

• the name of the AI tool and model used;
• the software version (where applicable) and the date or period of use;
• the purpose and scope of AI use (e.g., language editing, stylistic improvement, translation, or data visualization);
• a brief description of how the AI tool was used. Full prompts are not required unless they constitute an essential part of the research methodology.

2. Acceptable Use of AI

AI tools may be used solely as an aid in the preparation of a manuscript, including for:

• improving language, grammar, and style;
• translating text;
• enhancing the organization and clarity of the manuscript;
• creating visualizations of data generated by the authors.

AI must not replace the authors' scientific judgment or be used to fabricate, falsify, or manipulate research data, results, analyses, interpretations, or conclusions that have not been independently verified by the authors.

Authors are responsible for critically reviewing and verifying all AI-assisted content, as AI-generated output may be incomplete, inaccurate, or biased.

3. Responsibility for the Content

Authors bear full responsibility for the final content of their manuscript, including its scientific accuracy, originality, and integrity, regardless of whether AI tools were used during its preparation.

AI tools cannot be listed as authors or co-authors because they cannot assume responsibility for the content, approve the final version of the manuscript, or fulfill the ethical obligations associated with authorship.

4. Policy on Images and Figures

The use of AI tools to generate or modify images, illustrations, or photographs presented as research results is prohibited, unless such use constitutes an integral part of the research methodology and is fully described in the manuscript.

This restriction does not apply to the use of AI as a tool for creating graphs or other visualizations based exclusively on data generated, collected, or analyzed by the authors. Such data must remain transparent, verifiable, and reproducible.

The use of AI for preparing visualizations should be disclosed in the Materials and Methods section or in the Additional Information section.

5. Consequences of Undisclosed AI Use

Failure to disclose the use of AI tools may be considered a breach of publication ethics and may result in rejection of the manuscript or other editorial actions in accordance with the journal's editorial policies.

The Editorial Office reserves the right to use available tools to assist in assessing whether AI may have been used during manuscript preparation. The results of such assessments serve only as supporting information and shall not constitute the sole basis for editorial decisions.

For Reviewers

1. Confidentiality of Manuscripts

Reviewers are required to treat all manuscripts as strictly confidential documents.

The submission of all or part of a manuscript to publicly available generative AI tools is prohibited, as this may violate copyright, compromise the confidentiality of the peer-review process, or breach applicable data protection regulations.

2. Confidentiality of Review Reports

Peer-review reports and all related correspondence are confidential. Their content should not be entered into AI tools, even for the sole purpose of improving language or style.

3. Use of AI During Peer Review

Peer review requires expert knowledge, independent judgment, and critical evaluation.

AI tools should not be used to formulate scientific opinions or make judgments regarding the quality or suitability of a manuscript for publication. Reviewers are solely responsible for the content of their reviews.

4. Verification of AI Disclosure

Reviewers should verify, where appropriate, that authors have disclosed the use of AI in accordance with the journal's policy.

For Editors

1. Confidentiality of Manuscripts and Editorial Communications

Editors are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of all submitted manuscripts and editorial communications.

Manuscripts, editorial correspondence, or any confidential information should not be entered into publicly available AI tools if doing so could compromise confidentiality, copyright, or data protection obligations.

2. Use of AI in Editorial Communications

Editors should not use AI tools to process confidential editorial correspondence or documents containing non-public information.

3. Human Responsibility for Editorial Decisions

Editorial decisions regarding the evaluation, acceptance, or rejection of manuscripts must be made exclusively by editors.

AI tools may assist with administrative or organizational tasks but must not replace human judgment or serve as the basis for editorial decisions. Editors retain full responsibility for all editorial decisions and the integrity of the editorial process.