Policy on the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Recent significant advances in large language models (sophisticated generative artificial intelligence [AI] algorithms trained on massive language datasets) have led to widely available writing tools, such as OpenAI’s popular chatbot ChatGPT, which can analyze text and generate new content in response to user prompts. This technology has important and immediate implications for scholars writing academic papers and the journals that publish them.

Large language models possess a powerful ability to retrieve and repackage information from their training datasets into a wide variety of user-specified formats and styles. They can be used to generate ideas, outlines for academic manuscripts, or even full-text articles. Because contemporary AI tools can be remarkably well-trained to mimic human speech and writing styles, their outputs may closely resemble human-authored content, conveying an impression of accuracy, authority, and even emotional connection.

MedEst Journal’s Requirements for Disclosing AI-Assisted Technologies (Based on Recommendations from the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors)

For article submissions, MedEst requires authors to disclose any use of AI-assisted technologies in any aspect of the submitted work’s creation.

  1. Disclosure of Use:

    • Authors must describe the nature of AI tool usage in the manuscript itself.

  2. Authorship:

    • AI and AI-assisted technologies must not be listed as authors or co-authors.

  3. Citations and References:

    • AI tools must not be cited as references, primary sources, or as the "author" of a reference.

  4. Author Responsibility:

    • Human authors are fully responsible for all submitted content, including AI-generated material, ensuring its accuracy, integrity, and correctness.

    • Authors must affirm that the manuscript contains no plagiarism, including text or images produced by AI, and must provide proper attribution for all material (with full citations where applicable).

  5. Reviewer Guidelines:

    • Peer reviewers must not upload MedEst manuscripts to AI software or other technologies where confidentiality cannot be guaranteed.

    • If AI-assisted tools are used in a manner that ensures confidentiality, reviewers must:

      • Disclose the use and nature of such tools to MedEst.

      • Ensure any AI-generated content incorporated into their review is accurate, complete, and unbiased.