1. General Terms
This policy defines the principles for the responsible use of generative artificial intelligence in the preparation, submission, peer review and editorial processing of scientific manuscripts. The document is aligned with international standards of academic integrity recommended by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE), as well as the editorial policies of Elsevier and Springer. The policy aims to ensure transparency, accuracy and trust in scientific results produced with the involvement of digital technologies.
2. Use of Generative Artificial Intelligence by Authors
Authors may use tools based on generative artificial intelligence as auxiliary instruments, for example for language correction, stylistic editing, technical translation, refinement of wording or structuring of the text. Generative artificial intelligence may also be used for code analysis, calculations and statistical operations, provided that all results are verified by the author. The creation of supplementary illustrative materials is permitted, although authors bear full responsibility for their accuracy.
At the same time, generative artificial intelligence may not be used to produce fabricated data, citations, literature sources or artificially generated “research findings”. It is prohibited to employ generative models to create content presented as original scholarly contribution without the author’s genuine intellectual involvement. It is also not permitted to upload confidential, unpublished or protected data to artificial intelligence tools.
3. Disclosure of the Use of Generative Artificial Intelligence
Authors are required to transparently disclose any use of generative artificial intelligence in the preparation of the manuscript. Such disclosure must be included either in the “Acknowledgements” section or in the “Materials and Methods” section and must specify the name of the tool used, its version (if available), and a clear description of the stages of text preparation or analysis in which it was applied.
Generative artificial intelligence cannot be listed as a co-author, as it cannot take responsibility for the content of the work. Responsibility for the accuracy of data, correctness of statements, validity of citations and compliance with ethical standards lies entirely with the authors.
4. Use of Generative Artificial Intelligence by Reviewers
Reviewers are prohibited from submitting the content of manuscripts to third-party generative artificial intelligence models, as this violates the principle of confidentiality established by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE). Peer reviews must not be wholly or substantially produced by artificial intelligence tools. Only technical use of such tools is permitted, for improving the language or structure of the reviewer’s own text without revealing the content of the manuscript.
5. Use of Generative Artificial Intelligence by the Editorial Team
The editorial team may use generative artificial intelligence tools for technical and administrative purposes, such as improving the linguistic quality of correspondence or automating organisational processes. The editorial office does not use such tools to make editorial decisions, alter the content of manuscripts or process confidential materials without appropriate human oversight.
6. Responsibility of Authors
Authors bear full responsibility for all scientific results, data, statements, citations and interpretations presented in the manuscript, regardless of whether generative artificial intelligence was used. If the use of such tools leads to inaccuracies, errors or violations, responsibility for addressing these issues or their consequences rests solely with the authors. In cases of non-compliance with this policy, the editorial office reserves the right to request revisions, reject the manuscript or apply ethical procedures in accordance with COPE recommendations.
7. Policy Updates
This policy may be reviewed and updated in line with advancements in generative artificial intelligence technologies, developments in international standards and changes in scholarly communication practices.