1. General Principles

The journal recognizes the potential benefits of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and AI-assisted technologies in supporting scientific research, manuscript preparation, and scholarly communication. However, the use of these technologies must adhere to the principles of transparency, accountability, originality, research integrity, and publication ethics.

This policy applies to all authors, reviewers, and editors involved in the journal's publication process.

2. Use of AI by Authors

Authors may use AI-assisted tools, such as ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude, or similar technologies, to support manuscript preparation, including language editing, grammar correction, translation, literature exploration, and improvement of writing clarity.

However, AI tools must not replace the authors' intellectual contributions, critical analysis, scientific interpretation, or independent judgment.

Authors are fully responsible for the accuracy, originality, validity, and integrity of all submitted content, including material developed with AI assistance.

3. AI Authorship

AI tools cannot be listed as authors or co-authors because they cannot assume responsibility for the accuracy, integrity, and originality of scientific work.

All listed authors must meet the journal's authorship criteria and take full responsibility for the manuscript.

4. Disclosure of AI Use

Authors must transparently disclose any substantive use of generative AI or AI-assisted technologies in preparing their manuscripts.

The disclosure should identify the AI tool used, its purpose, and the extent of its contribution.

Authors are required to include an "AI Use Declaration" section in their manuscripts, preferably before the References section.

Routine spelling, punctuation, and basic grammar checks do not require disclosure unless the AI tool makes substantive changes to the manuscript.

Example of an AI Use Declaration:

"During the preparation of this manuscript, the authors used [AI tool name] to assist with [specific purpose]. All AI-assisted content was carefully reviewed, verified, and edited by the authors, who take full responsibility for the accuracy and integrity of the final manuscript."

5. AI Use in Research, Data Analysis, and Images

The use of AI in research design, data processing, statistical analysis, or other scientific procedures must be appropriately described in the Methods section to ensure transparency and reproducibility.

AI-generated or AI-assisted illustrations and figures may be included when scientifically appropriate, provided their use is clearly disclosed and does not misrepresent research findings.

The use of AI to fabricate, falsify, manipulate, or misrepresent research data, experimental results, scientific images, or references is strictly prohibited.

6. Accuracy, Originality, and Research Integrity

Authors must independently verify all AI-assisted content, including factual statements, citations, references, and scientific interpretations.

AI-generated references must not be included unless the cited publications have been independently verified.

AI-generated content must not constitute plagiarism, fabrication, falsification, or other forms of research misconduct.

AI tools must not be treated as substitutes for original scientific sources.

7. Use of AI by Reviewers and Editors

Reviewers and editors must maintain the confidentiality of submitted manuscripts throughout the editorial and peer-review processes.

Uploading unpublished manuscripts, confidential research data, or identifiable manuscript content to external AI systems is prohibited unless explicitly authorized by the journal and appropriate confidentiality safeguards are established.

AI tools must not replace the independent scientific judgment of reviewers or editorial decision-making.

Any permitted substantive use of AI during manuscript evaluation must be disclosed to the journal.

8. Policy Compliance

The editorial board reserves the right to request clarification or supporting information regarding the use of AI in submitted manuscripts.

Failure to disclose relevant AI use or any misuse of AI that compromises scientific integrity may result in manuscript revision, rejection, correction, or retraction, depending on the nature and severity of the violation.

All cases will be evaluated fairly in accordance with established publication ethics procedures.

This policy may be updated periodically to reflect developments in AI technology and international scholarly publishing standards.