Al Use Policy
In response to the rapid development of generative artificial intelligence (AI) technologies, GASF has established the following policy to promote transparency and provide clear guidance to authors, reviewers, editors, and readers. The Publisher will continue to monitor developments in this field and update this policy as appropriate.
1. Definitions and Scope
Generative AI refers to artificial intelligence technologies capable of producing text, images, audio, or synthetic data. These include, but are not limited to, large language models and text-to-image systems such as ChatGPT, NovelAI, Jasper AI, Rytr AI, DALL·E, Midjourney, and Stable Diffusion.
2. Policy for Authors
2.1 Use of AI in Scientific Writing
Permitted Use
Generative AI and AI-assisted tools may be used solely to improve the clarity, language, and readability of a manuscript (e.g., grammar correction, language editing). All such use must occur under human supervision and control. Authors must carefully review and edit any AI-generated content, as such outputs may be inaccurate, incomplete, or biased.
Prohibited Use
AI tools must not be used to perform core research activities, including generating scientific insights, analyzing or interpreting data, drawing conclusions, or replacing the author’s critical thinking or scientific judgment.
Author Responsibility
Authors are fully responsible for all content of their work, including any portions generated with AI assistance. Authors must ensure the originality, accuracy, and integrity of the work and must not infringe third-party rights.
Authorship Restrictions
AI tools and AI-assisted technologies must not be listed as authors or co-authors, nor cited as authors. Authorship and associated responsibilities (e.g., approval of the final version, consent to submission, accountability for the work) are limited to human contributors.
2.2 Use of AI in Figures, Images, and Artwork
General Prohibition
As a general rule, the use of generative AI or AI-assisted tools to create or modify images in submitted manuscripts is not permitted. This includes the enhancement, alteration, addition, removal, or repositioning of specific features within an image.
Permitted Adjustments
Adjustments to brightness, contrast, or color balance are permitted, provided that such modifications do not obscure, eliminate, or misrepresent any information in the original image.
Editorial Screening
The editorial office may employ image forensics tools to assess potentially suspicious images and may request that authors provide the original, unprocessed images prior to any AI-based modification, or the corresponding raw or source images used to generate such content, for evaluation.
Artistic Content
The use of generative AI to create graphical abstracts or other artistic content is not permitted. The use of cover images requires prior approval from the journal editors and the Publisher, and all necessary rights and permissions must be obtained in advance.
Exceptions
Where the use of AI tools is integral to the research design or methodology (e.g., AI-assisted imaging techniques in biomedical imaging to generate or interpret primary research data), such use is permitted if fully described in the Methods section in a reproducible manner. Authors must specify:
● Tool or model name
● Version and relevant parameters or extensions
● Developer or provider
● Specific role of the AI tool in image generation or analysis
2.3 Disclosure of AI Use
Disclosure Location
Authors must include a separate section titled “Generative AI Use Statement” prior to the References.
Statement Content
Authors must disclose the name of the AI tool used and its specific purpose. The following template is recommended:
During the preparation of this work, the author(s) used [tool name] for [specific purpose]. The author(s) have reviewed and edited the content and take full responsibility for the final published version.
No Disclosure Required
The use of standard tools for grammar checking, spelling correction, or reference management does not require disclosure.
Cover Letter Disclosure
Authors are encouraged to disclose the use of AI tools in the submission cover letter.
2.4 Legal and Ethical Compliance
Authors must ensure that the use of AI complies with applicable copyright and intellectual property laws and does not result in plagiarism, misrepresentation, or infringement of rights.
Authors are encouraged to provide AI prompts and outputs as supplementary material where appropriate to enhance transparency and reproducibility.
3. Policy for Reviewers
3.1 Confidentiality
Prohibition on Uploading Manuscripts: Under no circumstances should reviewers upload submitted manuscripts, in whole or in part, to generative AI tools, as such actions may violate authors’ confidentiality and intellectual property rights and, where personal data are included, may also breach applicable data protection laws.
Prohibition on Uploading Review Reports: Peer review reports may contain confidential information relating to the manuscript and/or the authors and must not be uploaded to generative AI tools, even for the purpose of language editing or improvement.
3.2 Review Standards
Human Oversight Principle
Peer review is a fundamental component of the scholarly publishing system and must be conducted under human oversight. Generative AI or AI-assisted tools must not be used to evaluate the scientific content of manuscripts, as the critical thinking and original judgment required for peer review are beyond the capabilities of such technologies and may result in inaccurate, incomplete, or biased conclusions.
Reviewer Responsibility
Reviewers are fully responsible for the content of their review reports.
Disclosure Requirement
If AI tools are used in any capacity during the review process (e.g., for language editing), such use must be clearly disclosed in the review report, including the name of the tool and its specific purpose.
4. Policy for Editors
4.1 Confidentiality
Editors must not upload manuscripts or any part thereof to generative AI tools.
Editors must not upload editorial communications (including decision letters or reviewer correspondence), as these may contain confidential information.
4.2 Editorial Standards
Human Decision-Making
Editorial evaluation and decision-making must be conducted by human editors. AI tools must not be used to make or inform editorial decisions.
Editorial Responsibility
Editors are fully responsible for the editorial process, decisions, and communications with authors.
4.3 Verification of AI Use
Editors are responsible for verifying compliance with this policy in submitted manuscripts, including:
● Whether a Generative AI Use Statement is included where required
● Whether AI tools are not listed as authors or co-authors
● Whether responsibility and accountability are assigned exclusively to human authors
● Whether AI use has been adequately and transparently described; where insufficient, editors should request clarification from the authors
● Whether any suspected misuse of AI is appropriately investigated; where necessary, such cases should be escalated to the Publisher
4.4 Indicators of Potential Misuse
Editors should be alert to potential indicators of inappropriate AI use, including:
● Irregular or inconsistent citation patterns
● Vague or overly generalized content
● Abrupt changes in writing style or tone
● Unrealistic or inconsistent visual elements
● Repetitive or formulaic language patterns typical of AI-generated text
5. Policy Updates and Oversight
GASF will continue to monitor developments in AI technologies and will review and update this policy as necessary.
Any suspected breaches of this policy will be handled in accordance with the guidelines of Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE).