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Generative AI Policy
Why This Policy Exists
The emergence of generative artificial intelligence tools — including large language models (LLMs) such as ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude, Copilot, and image generators such as DALL·E and Midjourney — has fundamentally changed how scholarly content is produced. While these tools can support research workflows, their uncritical use raises serious concerns about accuracy, attribution, transparency, and accountability in scientific publishing.
JEMEDWELL adopts this policy to protect the integrity of the scientific record, uphold the trust of readers and the scientific community, and align with international consensus on responsible AI use in scholarly publishing. This policy applies to all authors, peer reviewers, editors, and editorial staff.
Section 1
Definitions
Generative AI (Gen AI)
Artificial intelligence systems capable of producing new content — including text, images, audio, video, code, and data — in response to prompts. Examples: ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude, Copilot, Llama, Grok, DALL·E, Midjourney, Stable Diffusion.
Large Language Model (LLM)
A class of generative AI trained on large text corpora to generate, translate, summarize, or transform text. LLMs can produce plausible-sounding but factually incorrect content ("hallucinations") without any indication of error.
AI-Assisted vs. AI-Generated
AI-Assisted: humans use AI as a productivity tool (grammar checking, translation, literature search). AI-Generated: AI produces substantive content (text, data, figures, analysis) that appears in the manuscript. Both require disclosure when used for the latter.
AI Image Generator
Tools that create visual content from text prompts (DALL·E, Midjourney, Stable Diffusion) or enhance/modify existing images (Adobe Firefly, Photoshop AI). These raise distinct issues around visual authenticity in scientific imagery.
Section 2
Policy for Authors
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Fundamental Rule: AI Cannot Be an Author
Generative AI tools and LLMs must not be listed as authors on any manuscript submitted to JEMEDWELL. Authorship requires: the ability to consent to publication, accountability for the work, and the capacity to approve corrections and respond to post-publication concerns — none of which AI systems can fulfill. This rule is absolute and has no exceptions. (COPE 2023; ICMJE 2023)
Permitted Use
Grammar, spelling, and language editing (cover letter mention only)
Translation support (with human expert review)
Literature search assistance & reference management
Coding support for data analysis scripts
Paraphrasing aid with substantial human rewriting
Prohibited Use
Generating or substantially drafting manuscript sections (Introduction, Methods, Results, Discussion, Abstract)
Fabricating, generating, or manipulating figures, images, or microscopy data
Generating or fabricating references, citations, or DOIs
Interpreting results, drawing conclusions, or formulating recommendations
Any undisclosed AI use for substantive manuscript content
Must Disclose
AI-generated or AI-assisted text in any manuscript section
AI tools used for data visualization or figure production
AI-assisted statistical analysis or data interpretation
AI-assisted translation of substantial portions of the text
Any novel AI use that could affect reproducibility or attribution
How to Disclose AI Use — Required Format
Location in Manuscript
AI use for substantive content must be disclosed in the Methods section (if used in data collection, analysis, or figure production) and/or in the Acknowledgments section (if used for writing or editing). Both may be required if AI was used for multiple purposes. Grammar/language tools only: mention in the Cover Letter — no manuscript disclosure required.
Required Disclosure Elements
Tool Name
Full commercial name (e.g., ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude)
Version / Model
Specific version or model (e.g., GPT-4o, Gemini 1.5 Pro)
Developer
Company or organization (e.g., OpenAI, Google, Anthropic)
Purpose of Use
Specific task performed (drafting, translation, figure generation, etc.)
Section Used In
Manuscript section(s) where AI output appears
Human Oversight
Statement confirming human review and verification of all AI output
Example Disclosure Statement
"During the preparation of this manuscript, the authors used ChatGPT (GPT-4o, OpenAI, 2024) in the Methods section to assist with drafting the statistical analysis description, and DeepL Translator (DeepL SE, 2024) for initial Indonesian-to-English translation of interview excerpts. All AI-generated content was reviewed, verified for accuracy, and substantially revised by the authors. The authors take full responsibility for the integrity of the content."
Section 3
AI-Generated & AI-Manipulated Images
Strict Rules for Scientific Images
Scientific integrity depends on the authenticity of visual data. JEMEDWELL applies strict standards to any figure, photograph, microscopy image, or graphical content. AI manipulation of scientific images is treated as research misconduct equivalent to image fabrication or falsification.
Absolutely Prohibited
AI generators (DALL·E, Midjourney) to create scientific figures presented as real experimental data
Removing, adding, or obscuring features in microscopy, gel, or blot images using AI tools
AI-based "enhancement" that alters the scientific interpretation of an image
AI-generated visualizations presented as real photographs without disclosure
Requires Disclosure
AI-generated graphical abstracts or conceptual diagrams (must be labeled "AI-generated illustration")
AI-assisted image analysis or segmentation (e.g., QuPath AI, Cellpose) used in Results
AI-based denoising or resolution enhancement of legitimate scientific images
Data visualization built with AI-powered tools beyond standard software
Acceptable Without Disclosure
Standard scientific software with AI-assist features for legitimate data visualization (GraphPad, R, Python matplotlib)
Basic image adjustments (brightness, contrast applied uniformly) per standard image handling guidelines
Standard digital photography and microscopy acquisition software
Section 4
Policy for Peer Reviewers
Confidentiality Warning
Manuscripts submitted for peer review are strictly confidential. Uploading manuscript content — including the PDF, text excerpts, figures, or methodology details — into any AI tool constitutes a serious breach of confidentiality. AI platforms store, process, and may use submitted data in ways that violate author rights and journal confidentiality obligations.
Reviewers Must Not
Upload manuscript text, data, or figures to any AI platform (ChatGPT, Gemini, etc.)
Use AI to generate the substantive content of their review
Allow AI to make or influence the recommendation (Accept/Reject/Revise)
Delegate the review process to AI in any form
Limited Acceptable Use
Using AI to improve clarity and grammar of the reviewer's own writing — without sharing manuscript content
Using AI to check spelling and phrasing of the reviewer's independent critique
AI-powered literature search tools that do not expose manuscript content
Section 5
Policy for Editors & Editorial Staff
Editorial Decision-Making
Editorial decisions — Accept, Revise, Reject — must be made by qualified human editors. AI tools may assist in organizing reviewer comments or identifying inconsistencies, but the final decision is the sole responsibility of the editor.
Plagiarism & AI Detection
Editors may use AI-assisted plagiarism and AI-content detection tools as part of the screening process. A high AI-content detection score alone is not grounds for rejection; it triggers a disclosure verification request to the corresponding author.
Manuscript Confidentiality
Editors must not input unpublished manuscript content into public AI tools. If AI tools are used for editorial workflow management, they must operate under data protection agreements that prevent content from being used for AI training or third-party access.
Editorial Correspondence
AI tools may assist in drafting standard editorial correspondence (decision letters, reminder emails), provided all communications are reviewed and finalized by a human editor before sending.
Section 6
Enforcement & Consequences of Violation
Violations of this AI policy are treated as forms of research misconduct and are investigated under JEMEDWELL's standard misconduct procedures, following COPE guidelines.
1
Undisclosed AI Use
Treated as plagiarism → mandatory revision or rejection (pre-publication) / retraction + institution notification (post-publication)
2
AI Image Manipulation
Treated as data fabrication → immediate rejection or retraction + formal investigation + institution and funder notification
3
Reviewer Breach
Uploading manuscript to AI → permanent removal from reviewer database + report to professional societies
4
Disclosure Errors
Incomplete or inaccurate disclosure → mandatory correction notice + author warning on record
Section 7
Regulatory & Guidance Framework
COPE 2023
Authorship & AI: Position statement on AI tools in scholarly publishing
ICMJE 2023
Recommendations for AI in Scholarly Publications — authorship, disclosure
Nature Portfolio 2023
Editorial policy on AI tools — image integrity, disclosure, author responsibility
WAME 2023
Chatbots, generative AI, and scholarly manuscripts — WAME recommendations
Elsevier AI Policy
Use of generative AI and AI-assisted technologies in writing for Elsevier journals
Science / AAAS 2023
AI-generated text not permitted in Science family journals — authorship standards
Living Policy — Subject to Regular Review
Given the rapidly evolving landscape of AI technology, this policy will be reviewed and updated at least annually, or whenever significant changes in AI capabilities or consensus guidance from COPE, ICMJE, or WAME require revision. The effective date at the top of this page reflects the most recent revision.
Questions About AI Policy?
If you are unsure whether your AI use requires disclosure, or if you wish to report a suspected AI policy violation, please contact the editorial office. We will provide guidance before submission to help authors comply with this policy.
