Generative AI-Assisted Services Policy

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In recent years, the use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) tools for data generation, analysis, and interpretation has become increasingly common among researchers. INNSpub supports the responsible and transparent use of such AI-driven technologies and AI-assisted services in manuscript preparation, recognizing their potential to enhance and accelerate progress in the biological sciences.

To ensure responsible and ethical integration of AI technologies in scholarly publishing, the following policy outlines the permitted and prohibited uses of generative AI and AI-assisted tools (such as ChatGPT, Jasper AI and similar systems) by authors, peer reviewers, and editors. This policy aligns with global publishing standards and Elsevier’s guidelines.
Permitted uses of generative AI
For Authors
Language and grammar enhancement
Authors are allowed to use generative AI tools to improve the clarity, structure, grammar, and overall language quality of their manuscripts. These tools can assist in refining the writing but must not be used to generate, analyze, or interpret scientific findings or to produce the intellectual content of the research.

Disclosure of AI usage
Any use of AI tools in the preparation of the manuscript must be clearly and transparently disclosed.
The disclosure should include:
• The name and version of the AI tool used (e.g., ChatGPT-4 by OpenAI)
• A brief explanation of how the tool was used (e.g., for grammar correction, formatting, or figure labeling assistance)
• The extent of its contribution to the work

This information should be included in either the Acknowledgements section or the Methods section of the manuscript.

For Peer Reviewers
Maintaining confidentiality
Reviewers are strictly prohibited from uploading unpublished manuscript content to external AI platforms or cloud-based services for any purpose, as this could compromise confidentiality.
If AI tools are used for personal language enhancement in reviewer comments, they must be employed only on secure, offline platforms that do not store or share inputted content.

For Editors
Limited administrative use
Editors may use AI tools for administrative purposes, such as checking grammar or formatting correspondence. However, they must:
•  Avoid inputting any confidential manuscript material into third-party AI tools
•  Obtain the author’s written consent before using AI tools on sensitive content

Prohibited uses of generative AI
Attribution of Authorship to AI
Generative AI tools do not meet the criteria for authorship and therefore must not be listed as authors or co-authors. Authorship requires accountability for the work, which AI systems cannot assume.

Scientific content generation
Authors must not use AI to create or manipulate data, generate results, or draw conclusions. Scientific integrity demands that all research findings be the result of human intellectual effort.

Visual content creation
The use of AI to generate or edit visual materials (e.g., graphs, images, or illustrations) is prohibited, unless explicitly approved by the Editor-in-Chief.
If such tools are approved, authors must:
•  Clearly cite the AI tool used
•  Confirm that no copyright or licensing violations have occurred
•  Accept full responsibility for verifying the accuracy and authenticity of the visual content

Scientific writing and the use of generative AI policy 
This policy has been developed in response to the growing use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and AI-assisted technologies in academic writing. As these tools become more common among content creators, the journal seeks to promote transparency and provide clear guidance for authors, editors, reviewers, readers, and other contributors. While this policy specifically addresses the use of AI in the writing process, it does not cover the use of AI tools for data analysis or information extraction as part of the research itself.

Acceptable use of AI in writing
Authors may use generative AI tools solely to improve the clarity, grammar, and overall readability of their manuscripts. However, such use must be conducted under strict human oversight. Authors are required to carefully review and revise any content produced or modified by AI to ensure its accuracy and appropriateness. AI-generated content may appear authoritative but can often be misleading, inaccurate, incomplete, or biased.

Ultimately, authors bear full responsibility for the integrity and accuracy of their work, regardless of any AI involvement in the writing process.

Transparency and Disclosure
The use of generative AI or AI-assisted technologies in preparing a manuscript must be clearly disclosed in the paper. This disclosure will be included in a formal statement within the published article. By declaring the use of AI tools, authors contribute to transparency and help maintain trust among the research community, including readers, editors, reviewers, and fellow contributors. Disclosure also ensures compliance with the terms of service associated with these tools.

Authorship and Accountability
AI tools or services must not be credited as authors or co-authors. Authorship carries specific responsibilities that only humans can fulfill. Each listed author must be able to:
• Approve the final version of the manuscript
• Accept responsibility for the entire content
• Address questions related to the accuracy or ethical integrity of the work
• Confirm that the content is original and does not infringe upon the rights of third parties
• Verify that all listed individuals meet authorship criteria

This policy ensures that the journal continues to uphold academic integrity while acknowledging the evolving role of technology in scientific communication. The journal will continue to monitor developments in AI and may revise this policy as necessary to reflect emerging best practices.

AI-assisted tools in figures, images and artwork policy
To maintain scientific integrity and transparency, the journal does not permit the use of generative AI or AI-assisted tools to create, alter, or manipulate images in submitted manuscripts. This includes any modification that enhances, obscures, removes, adds, or shifts visual elements within a figure or image.
Basic image adjustments, such as changes to brightness, contrast, or color balance are allowed only if they do not distort or conceal any original information within the image. The journal may employ image forensics software to detect possible irregularities or manipulation in submitted figures.

Exceptions for AI use in research contexts
An exception is made when the use of AI or AI-assisted tools is an integral part of the research methodology, such as in biomedical imaging or other domains where AI is employed to generate or interpret research data. In such cases, the use of AI must be:
• Clearly described in the Methods section,
• Reproducible and
Accompanied by detailed information including:
– The name and version of the AI tool or model
– The extension or build number, if applicable
– The manufacturer or developer
– A description of how the AI tool was used in the image creation or processing

Authors must also comply with the licensing and usage terms of the AI software and ensure proper attribution where required. If requested, authors should be prepared to submit original, unaltered images or raw composite files used in the preparation of final figures for editorial evaluation.

Graphical and cover artwork
• The use of generative AI to create graphical abstracts or illustrations for scientific content is strictly prohibited.
• Generative AI may be used to create cover art only with prior approval from the journal’s editor and publisher. In such cases, the author must:
– Obtain all necessary permissions for the use of third-party or AI-generated material
– Confirm the clearance of copyrights or licenses
– Ensure full and accurate content attribution

This policy safeguards the authenticity of scientific visuals and ensures responsible, transparent use of AI technologies in research publishing. The journal reserves the right to request supporting documentation and may revise this policy in response to evolving practices in AI-assisted research.

Ethical Considerations
Human oversight and responsibility
All content produced with the help of AI must be reviewed and approved by human authors. Authors remain fully accountable for the accuracy, originality, and ethical compliance of their manuscripts, regardless of any AI assistance used during preparation.

Transparency in manuscript preparation
Authors must include a section titled “Declaration of Generative AI and AI-Assisted Technologies in the Writing Process” before the References section. This declaration should:
• Clearly state whether AI was used
• Specify how it was used
• Affirm that the authors take full responsibility for the final content

Enforcement and policy oversight
Consequences of non-compliance
Failure to comply with this policy-including improper use of AI or failure to disclose its use, may result in:
• Rejection of the manuscript during peer review
• Retraction of published articles
• Notification to the author’s institution or funding body
• Bans from future submissions

Ongoing review of the policy
This AI policy is subject to annual review by the editorial board. As AI technologies and their uses evolve, updates will be made to ensure alignment with best practices, ethical research standards, and global publishing norms.

The use of generative AI in scholarly publishing can enhance quality and accessibility, but it must be applied with caution, integrity, and full transparency. This policy provides clear guidance to authors, reviewers, and editors to ensure that AI tools support- but never replace-responsible scientific authorship and ethical academic practice.

More Links:
Peer review policy
Editorial policy

 

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