JPMS Policy on Generative AI

1. Purpose and Scope

This policy outlines the Journal of Pioneering Medical Sciences (JPMS) standards for the use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and AI-assisted tools in all stages of the publication process. It applies to authors, peer reviewers, and editors to ensure that AI tools are used ethically, transparently, and responsibly.

The aim is to uphold academic integrity and publication ethics in line with international recommendations, including:

The policy seeks to prevent misuse of AI while allowing responsible, clearly disclosed use that improves clarity and efficiency without undermining the integrity of scholarly work.

2. Definition of Generative AI

For the purposes of this policy, generative AI refers to any artificial intelligence system capable of producing content (e.g. text, images, data, code, or graphics) in response to prompts. Examples include—but are not limited to—large language models, chatbots, and image or code generation tools (e.g. ChatGPT, GPT-4, Bard, DALL·E, Copilot, and similar technologies).

References to “AI tools” in this document specifically concern such generative systems and their use in research, writing, and publishing workflows.

3. Acceptable Use of AI Tools by Authors

Authors may use generative AI tools in a limited, supportive manner that does not replace their own intellectual contribution or responsibility. Permissible uses include:

Language editing and proofreading: correcting grammar, spelling, and style or improving clarity and readability, provided the authors ensure that the scientific meaning is not altered.
Formatting and copy-editing: assisting with formatting, reference style consistency, or basic text restructuring, similar to advanced spelling or grammar checkers.
Data analysis and visualization support: helping to generate code, preliminary graphs, or visualizations using the authors’ own data, only when all outputs are carefully verified against the original data by the authors.
Idea generation and literature organization: supporting brainstorming of research questions or helping to organize known literature, while ensuring that final concepts, arguments, and interpretations are developed by the authors themselves.

In all cases, authors must review, edit, and take full responsibility for AI-assisted outputs to ensure they are accurate, unbiased, and aligned with the scientific and ethical standards of JPMS.

4. Prohibited Uses of AI

Certain uses of generative AI are strictly forbidden due to the risk of compromising research integrity and ethical standards. Authors must NOT use AI tools for:

Content generation in place of original work: delegating the writing of substantial sections of the manuscript (e.g. Methods, Results, Discussion, Conclusions) to AI tools. Core scientific reasoning, data interpretation, and conclusions must originate from the human authors.
Fabrication of data or references: using AI to invent data, experiments, patient cases, or observations; or to generate fabricated, incomplete, or non-existent references and DOIs.
Plagiarism or misappropriation: relying on AI to paraphrase, translate, or re-compose text from existing sources without appropriate citation and acknowledgement. AI-generated content must be treated like third-party content: it cannot be presented as the authors’ original work without proper attribution.
Misleading attribution of authorship: listing AI tools as authors or co-authors, or crediting them with scientific insights, interpretations, or decisions. AI tools cannot fulfill authorship criteria as defined by ICMJE.

Any undisclosed, deceptive, or inappropriate use of AI will be treated as a form of research and publication misconduct.

5. Disclosure and Transparency Requirements

Full transparency regarding AI use is mandatory. If AI tools are used at any stage in the preparation of the manuscript (writing, editing, analysis support, image generation, etc.), authors must:

Disclose AI use in the cover letter at the time of submission.
Include an AI use statement within the manuscript, preferably in the Acknowledgements, Methods, or a dedicated “Use of AI Tools” section.

Example disclosure statement:

“We used the generative AI tool ChatGPT (OpenAI, version X) to assist with language editing of this manuscript. The authors reviewed and edited all AI-generated suggestions and take full responsibility for the content of the paper, including any errors.”

Minor use of tools limited to spell-checking or simple grammar correction may not require explicit disclosure; however, when in doubt, authors are strongly encouraged to disclose AI assistance.

6. Authorship and Author Responsibility

Generative AI tools cannot be listed as authors or co-authors. Authorship implies:

Substantial intellectual contribution,
The ability to take public responsibility for the work, and
The capacity to respond to critiques and questions.

These criteria apply only to human contributors. JPMS follows the authorship principles outlined by ICMJE.

The use of AI does not diminish author responsibility. Human authors remain fully accountable for:

The accuracy and completeness of all content,
The integrity of data and analyses, and
Ensuring that no plagiarism, bias, or fabrication is present.

7. AI in Peer Review

Manuscripts under review are confidential. Peer reviewers must not:

Upload or paste any part of a manuscript into external AI tools or services;
Use AI to generate, rewrite, or substantially edit their review reports;
Share manuscript content with any AI system whose data handling they do not fully control.

Reviewers are expected to provide their own expert and independent assessment. If a reviewer uses AI in any minor, supportive way (e.g. checking grammar in their comments), they remain fully responsible for the review and must ensure that confidentiality is not compromised.

8. AI in Editorial Workflows

Editors and editorial staff must also preserve confidentiality and independence of editorial judgment. Accordingly:

Unpublished manuscripts, reviewer reports, and editorial decisions must not be uploaded into external generative AI systems.
Generative AI tools must not be used to decide on acceptance, revision, or rejection of manuscripts.
AI-assisted tools may be used in a limited manner for non-generative tasks, such as: similarity checking, plagiarism detection, or technical checks, provided these tools comply with data protection and ethical standards.

9. Journal Screening and Verification of AI Use

JPMS may use plagiarism detection and other analytical tools, as well as editorial judgment, to:

Identify suspected AI-generated or AI-assisted content,
Detect fabricated references or data, and
Verify consistency and integrity of manuscripts.

Where undeclared or inappropriate AI use is suspected, the editorial office may:

Request clarification or detailed explanations from the authors,
Ask for original data, analysis scripts, or earlier drafts, and
Subject the manuscript to additional ethical or technical review.

10. Consequences of Policy Violations

Violations of this policy will be treated as potential research or publication misconduct. Possible actions include:

Before publication: rejection of the manuscript on ethical grounds.
After publication: correction, expression of concern, or retraction of the article, following COPE guidelines (see COPE retraction guidelines ).
Notification of the authors’ institution(s), funders, or relevant authorities, where appropriate.
Restriction or suspension of future submissions by the responsible author(s), at the discretion of the journal.

11. Policy Review and Updates

The landscape of AI technologies is rapidly evolving. JPMS will periodically review and update this policy to reflect:

Technological developments in generative AI,
Emerging best practices in scholarly publishing, and
Updated recommendations from COPE, ICMJE, and major academic publishers.

Any substantial revisions to this policy will be communicated on the journal’s website. Authors, reviewers, and editors are encouraged to consult the most recent version of the policy before submitting or handling manuscripts.