German Medical Science (GMS) and PUBLISSO have published an official AI policy. This applies to all journals published on the ZB MED publishing platform PUBLISSO. The new policy establishes clear rules and transparency regarding the use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) in the scientific publication process. This benefits authors, editors and reviewers alike.

An overview of the key points:

• AI in manuscripts – permitted, but subject to disclosure: Generative AI may be used to assist in the creation of manuscripts, for example for brainstorming, research or linguistic refinement. Responsibility for the accuracy of the content and form remains entirely with the authors.
• Transparency is key: The use of generative AI in the research or writing process must always be disclosed. Depending on the nature and extent of its use, this should be stated in the methods section or in a note at the end of the manuscript; details to be provided include the software, version, date of use and manner of use.
• Take data protection and copyright into account: Confidential, personal or copyright-protected data must not be entered into publicly accessible AI systems. Furthermore, the relevant data protection policies and terms of use must be checked before use.

• No AI as author or source: Generative AI does not meet the criteria for authorship and must not be named as an author. Nor may AI-generated content itself be cited as an academic source.

• The peer-review process remains human: The use of generative AI is strictly prohibited in the peer-review process. Manuscripts, reviews or parts thereof must not be fed into AI systems; reviews and the revision of a manuscript must be based solely on human expertise.

Tools designed purely for spell-checking, grammar checking or formatting corrections may be used without attribution, provided they do not alter the content. A breach of the new guidelines may result in the rejection of the manuscript. GMS and PUBLISSO themselves do not currently use generative AI in the processing, peer review or publication of manuscripts.

Background

The AI policy of GMS and PUBLISSO is based on international standards and recommendations from established organisations such as the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE), the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE) and the European Commission.

To the AI policy