Author Resources

Use of Generative AI

Last updated: January 31, 2026

Use of Generative AI and AI-Assisted Technologies in the Review Process

This policy aims to provide greater transparency and guidance to authors, editors, and reviewers regarding generative AI and AI-assisted technologies. ICR Publications (ICRP) will closely monitor ongoing developments in this area and will adjust or refine the policy as appropriate. The following guidance is specifically for reviewers.

When a subject matter expert is invited to participate in the review process, the material/manuscript must be treated as confidential. Reviewers should not upload the material/manuscript or any part thereof into a generative AI tool, as this may violate ICRP’s and/or the authors’ confidentiality and proprietary rights and, where the material/manuscript contains personally identifiable information, may breach data privacy rights.

This confidentiality requirement extends to all communication about the material/manuscript, including any reviewer questionnaires, reports, or correspondence, as these may contain confidential information about the material/manuscript, ICRP, and/or the authors. For this reason, reviewers should not upload their communications or any related material into an AI tool, even if it is just for the purpose of improving language and readability.

ICRP abides by the highest standards of integrity in the review process, which implies responsibilities that can only be attributed to humans. Generative AI or AI-assisted technologies should not be used by reviewers to assist in the review of the material/manuscript, as the critical thinking and original assessment needed for review are outside the scope of this technology, and there is a risk that the technology will generate incorrect, incomplete, or biased conclusions. The reviewer is responsible and accountable for the content of the review.

ICRP’s AI policy for book authors states that authors are allowed to use generative AI and AI-assisted technologies in the writing process before submission, but only to improve the language and readability of their work and with the appropriate disclosure, as per our instructions in ICRP’s Guide for Authors.

Please note that ICRP employs identity-protected AI-assisted technologies that conform to the RELX Responsible AI Principles. These in-house or licensed technologies respect confidentiality. Our programs are subject to rigorous evaluations of bias and comply with data privacy and data security requirements.

The Use of Generative AI and AI-Assisted Technologies in the Journal Editorial Process

This policy has been established in response to the emergence of generative AI and AI-assisted technologies* and aims to provide clear guidance and transparency for authors, editors, and reviewers. ICR Publications (ICRP) will closely monitor ongoing developments in this area and will update or refine the policy as necessary. The following guidelines are specifically for editors.

A submitted manuscript must be treated as a confidential document. Editors must not upload a submitted manuscript or any part of it into a generative AI tool, as this could violate the authors’ confidentiality and proprietary rights and, if the manuscript contains personally identifiable information, could breach data privacy rights.

This confidentiality requirement extends to all communication about the manuscript, including any notification or decision letters, as they may contain confidential information about the manuscript and/or the authors. Therefore, editors should not upload their letters into an AI tool, even if it is just to improve language and readability.

Peer review is central to the scientific ecosystem, and ICRP adheres to the highest standards of integrity in this process. Managing the editorial evaluation of a scientific manuscript involves responsibilities that can only be attributed to humans. Generative AI or AI-assisted technologies should not be used by editors to assist in the evaluation or decision-making process of a manuscript, as the critical thinking and original assessment required for this work are beyond the scope of this technology. There is a risk that the technology could generate incorrect, incomplete, or biased conclusions about the manuscript. The editor is responsible and accountable for the editorial process, the final decision, and the communication thereof to the authors.

ICRP’s AI author policy states that authors are permitted to use generative AI and AI-assisted technologies in the writing process before submission, but only to improve the language and readability of their paper, with appropriate disclosure as per our instructions in ICRP’s Guide for Authors. Editors can find such disclosure at the bottom of the paper in a separate section before the list of references. If an editor suspects that an author or a reviewer has violated our AI policies, they should inform the publisher.

Please note that ICRP employs identity-protected AI-assisted technologies, such as those used during the screening process, to conduct completeness and plagiarism checks and identify suitable reviewers. These in-house or licensed technologies respect the author's confidentiality. Our programs are subject to rigorous evaluations of bias and comply with data privacy and data security requirements.

ICRP embraces new AI-driven technologies that support reviewers and editors in the editorial process and continues to develop and adopt in-house or licensed technologies that respect the confidentiality and data privacy rights of authors, reviewers, and editors.

Generative AI is a type of artificial intelligence technology that can produce various types of content, including text, imagery, audio, and synthetic data. Examples include ChatGPT, NovelAI, Jasper AI, Rytr AI, DALL-E, etc.

The Use of Generative AI and AI-Assisted Technologies in the Journal Peer Review Process

This policy has been triggered by the rise of generative AI and AI-assisted technologies* and aims to provide greater transparency and guidance to authors, editors, and reviewers. ICR Publications (ICRP) will monitor ongoing developments in this area closely and will adjust or refine the policy as appropriate. The following guidance is specifically for reviewers.

When a researcher is invited to review another researcher’s paper, the manuscript must be treated as a confidential document. Reviewers should not upload a submitted manuscript or any part of it into a generative AI tool, as this may violate the authors’ confidentiality and proprietary rights and, where the paper contains personally identifiable information, may breach data privacy rights. This confidentiality requirement extends to the peer review report, as it may contain confidential information about the manuscript and/or the authors. For this reason, reviewers should not upload their peer review report into an AI tool, even if it is just to improve language and readability.

Peer review is at the heart of the scientific ecosystem, and ICRP abides by the highest standards of integrity in this process. Reviewing a scientific manuscript implies responsibilities that can only be attributed to humans. Generative AI or AI-assisted technologies should not be used by reviewers to assist in the scientific review of a paper, as the critical thinking and original assessment needed for peer review are outside the scope of this technology. There is a risk that the technology will generate incorrect, incomplete, or biased conclusions about the manuscript. The reviewer is responsible and accountable for the content of the review report.

ICRP’s AI author policy states that authors are allowed to use generative AI and AI-assisted technologies in the writing process before submission, but only to improve the language and readability of their paper and with the appropriate disclosure, as per our instructions in ICRP’s Guide for Authors. Reviewers can find such disclosure at the bottom of the paper in a separate section before the list of references.

The Use of Generative AI and AI-Assisted Technologies in Scientific Writing

This policy has been introduced in response to the rise of generative AI and AI-assisted technologies, which are expected to be increasingly used by content creators. The aim is to provide greater transparency and guidance to authors, readers, reviewers, editors, and contributors. ICR Publications (ICRP) will monitor this development and adjust or refine this policy as appropriate. Please note that this policy only refers to the writing process and not to the use of AI tools to analyze and draw insights from data as part of the research process.

Where authors use generative AI and AI-assisted technologies in the writing process, these technologies should only be used to improve the readability and language of the work. The application of the technology should be done with human oversight and control, and authors should carefully review and edit the result because AI can generate authoritative-sounding output that can be incorrect, incomplete, or biased. The authors are ultimately responsible and accountable for the contents of the work.

Authors should disclose in their manuscript the use of AI and AI-assisted technologies, and a statement will appear in the published work. Declaring the use of these technologies supports transparency and trust between authors, readers, reviewers, editors, and contributors and facilitates compliance with the terms of use of the relevant tool or technology.

Authors should not list AI and AI-assisted technologies as an author or co-author, nor cite AI as an author. Authorship implies responsibilities and tasks that can only be attributed to and performed by humans. Each (co-)author is accountable for ensuring that questions related to the accuracy or integrity of any part of the work are appropriately investigated and resolved. Authorship requires the ability to approve the final version of the work and agree to its submission. Authors are also responsible for ensuring that the work is original, that the stated authors qualify for authorship, and that the work does not infringe third-party rights. Authors should familiarize themselves with ICRP's Ethics in Publishing policy before they submit.

The Use of Generative AI and AI-Assisted Tools in Figures, Images, and Artwork

ICRP does not permit the use of generative AI or AI-assisted tools to create or alter images in submitted manuscripts. This includes enhancing, obscuring, moving, removing, or introducing a specific feature within an image or figure. Adjustments of brightness, contrast, or color balance are acceptable as long as they do not obscure or eliminate any information present in the original. Image forensics tools or specialized software might be applied to submitted manuscripts to identify suspected image irregularities.

The only exception is if the use of AI or AI-assisted tools is part of the research design or research methods (such as in AI-assisted imaging approaches to generate or interpret the underlying research data, for example, in the field of biomedical imaging). If this is done, such use must be described in a reproducible manner in the methods section. This should include an explanation of how the AI or AI-assisted tools were used in the image creation or alteration process, including the name of the model or tool, version and extension numbers, and manufacturer. Authors should adhere to the AI software’s specific usage policies and ensure correct content attribution. Where applicable, authors may be asked to provide pre-AI-adjusted versions of images and/or the composite raw images used to create the final submitted versions, for editorial assessment.

The use of generative AI or AI-assisted tools in the production of artwork, such as for graphical abstracts, is not permitted. The use of generative AI in the production of cover art may, in some cases, be allowed if the author obtains prior permission from the journal editor and publisher, can demonstrate that all necessary rights have been cleared for the use of the relevant material, and ensures that there is correct content attribution.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):

Use of Generative AI and AI-Assisted Technologies at ICR Publications (ICRP)

1. Why can’t generative AI or AI-assisted technologies be listed as an author?

Authorship implies responsibilities that can only be fulfilled by humans. These include accountability for the accuracy and integrity of the work, approval of the final version, agreement to submission, and the ability to respond to questions or concerns after publication. Generative AI and AI-assisted technologies cannot assume these responsibilities and, therefore, cannot be listed as authors or co-authors.

2. Are authors allowed to use generative AI in preparing a manuscript?

Yes. Authors may use generative AI or AI-assisted technologies only to improve the language, grammar, clarity, and readability of their manuscript prior to submission. Such use must always involve human oversight, and authors remain fully responsible for the content, originality, and integrity of the work.

3. Is disclosure of AI use mandatory for authors?

Yes. Authors must disclose the use of generative AI or AI-assisted technologies in the writing process. A dedicated statement must be included in the manuscript, placed in a separate section immediately before the references. This disclosure promotes transparency and trust among authors, reviewers, editors, and readers.

4. Are grammar checkers and reference management tools considered generative AI?

No. Standard tools such as spell checkers, grammar checkers, and reference management software (e.g., EndNote, Zotero, Mendeley) are not considered generative AI and do not require disclosure.

5. Can reviewers use generative AI to help evaluate a manuscript or improve their review report?

No. Reviewers must not use generative AI or AI-assisted technologies at any stage of the review process. Manuscripts, reviewer reports, questionnaires, and related correspondence are confidential and must not be uploaded into AI tools. Peer review relies on human critical judgment and accountability, which cannot be delegated to AI.

6. Can editors use generative AI to assist with editorial decisions or correspondence?

No. Editors must not use generative AI or AI-assisted technologies to evaluate manuscripts, make editorial decisions, or draft decision letters and communications. Editorial responsibility, judgment, and accountability rest solely with the human editor.

7. Can generative AI be used in the peer review or editorial decision-making process?

No. Generative AI must not be used to assist in peer review, editorial assessment, or decision-making. These processes require original human evaluation and carry ethical and professional responsibilities that cannot be assumed by AI technologies.

8. Is AI allowed for research data analysis or methodology?

Yes. This policy applies only to the writing and editorial process. The use of AI or machine-learning tools as part of the research design, data analysis, or methodology is permitted, provided it is clearly described in the Methods section in a transparent and reproducible manner.

9. Can authors use generative AI to create or modify figures, images, or artwork?

No. The use of generative AI or AI-assisted tools to create or alter figures, images, graphical abstracts, or artwork in submitted manuscripts is not permitted. Minor adjustments such as brightness, contrast, or color balance are allowed only if they do not alter or obscure the original information.

10. Are there any exceptions for AI use in images or figures?

Yes, but only when AI use is an integral part of the research methodology (for example, AI-assisted imaging analysis in biomedical research). In such cases, authors must fully document the AI tools used, including the model name, version, parameters, and role in the research, within the Methods section.

11. Does ICRP itself use AI technologies?

Yes. ICRP employs identity-protected, in-house or licensed AI-assisted technologies to support editorial workflows, such as plagiarism screening, completeness checks, and reviewer identification. These tools respect confidentiality, comply with data protection requirements, and are subject to rigorous evaluations for bias and responsible use.

12. What happens if an editor or reviewer suspects inappropriate use of AI?

If an editor or reviewer suspects that generative AI has been used in violation of ICRP’s policies, the concern should be reported to the publisher. ICRP will assess the matter in accordance with its ethics and publishing integrity policies.

13. Does declaring AI use affect copyright or authorship rights?

No. Declaring the use of generative AI does not change copyright ownership, authorship responsibilities, or licensing agreements. Authors remain fully responsible for the content and retain the same rights and obligations as with any other manuscript.

14. Why does ICRP take a cautious approach to generative AI?

ICRP is committed to maintaining the highest standards of research integrity, transparency, and trust in scholarly publishing. While generative AI can support authors in improving language and clarity, it cannot replace human expertise, judgment, accountability, or ethical responsibility.

Examples of AI Disclosure Statements

The Declaration of Generative AI and AI-Assisted Technologies in the Writing Process must be placed immediately before the References section.

Example 1: Basic Language and Readability Support