- Disclosure required
- Human oversight
- No AI authorship
This policy explains how authors, editors, and reviewers may use generative AI tools responsibly. It applies to text, images, code, data, and any other output produced with AI assistance, and it is reviewed as the technology and publishing standards evolve.
Use of AI is permitted when it supports human thinking. It is never a substitute for scientific judgment, and it must always be disclosed when it materially contributes to a submission.
INNOVATE recognizes generative AI's role in research and writing while requiring careful oversight of ethical, academic, legal, and confidentiality risks.
Permitted assistance includes
- Idea development and literature exploration
- Language improvement and readability
- Coding assistance and data organization
- Research dissemination support
Known risks
- Inaccurate or fabricated information (hallucinations)
- Biased or misleading outputs
- Incomplete citations or improper attribution
- Confidentiality and intellectual property risks
- Unintended reuse of uploaded content by AI providers
Examples
ChatGPT, Microsoft Copilot, Google Gemini, Claude, and other AI writing or content-generation platforms. All AI-assisted outputs must be reviewed and validated by humans.
Permitted uses
- Grammar and language quality improvement
- Readability enhancement and idea exploration
- Coding assistance and reference organization
- Supporting academic writing processes
Authors remain responsible for
- Originality, accuracy, and validity of all information
- Ethical compliance and integrity of the submitted work
- AI must not replace human intellectual contribution
Disclosure required
What to disclose
AI tool name, version/platform, purpose of use, and extent of assistance — in Methods, Acknowledgements, or an appropriate section.
No AI authorship
AI tools cannot be listed as authors — they cannot take responsibility, approve manuscripts, or hold legal publication obligations.
Prohibited uses
- Fully generating manuscripts without human oversight
- Fabricated data, fake citations, or manipulated findings
- Creating or manipulating figures, images, charts, tables, or research data
- Replacing scientific reasoning and interpretation
Strict confidentiality
Unpublished manuscripts, reviewer comments, and confidential editorial materials must never be uploaded to generative AI platforms.
Editors and reviewers must not use AI to
- Evaluate or summarize manuscripts
- Generate review decisions
- Analyze confidential materials
Limited exception
Peer reviewers may use AI only for limited language improvement in review reports, while remaining fully responsible for accuracy, fairness, and integrity.
Editorial responsibility
INNOVATE reserves the right to evaluate AI disclosures and determine compliance. This policy may be updated as AI technologies and publishing standards evolve.