The use of artificial intelligence (AI) and AI-assisted tools in academic writing is increasing rapidly. PIMR recognises both the utility and the risks of such tools and has adopted the following policy, in line with guidance issued by COPE and WAME.
Authors must disclose the use of any AI or AI-assisted tool that contributed to the preparation of the manuscript. This includes, but is not limited to:
AI use must be disclosed in a dedicated statement placed in the Methods section or the Acknowledgements. The statement must name the specific tool or tools used and describe the purpose for which each tool was used. Vague statements such as "AI tools were used in preparing this manuscript" are not acceptable. The statement must be specific enough for a reader to understand what role AI played in the work.
Example:
"ChatGPT (OpenAI, version GPT-4) was used to assist with language
editing of the Discussion section. The content was reviewed,
revised, and approved by the authors. No AI tool was used for
data analysis or generation of the study findings."
AI tools may not be listed in the author list. Authorship carries legal accountability and ethical responsibility, which only a natural person can accept. AI tools do not meet the ICMJE authorship criteria and have no standing to give consent for publication.
Authors are fully and solely responsible for all content in the manuscript, including content generated or modified with AI assistance. The use of AI does not reduce or transfer this responsibility in any way. Authors must critically review all AI-generated content for accuracy, originality, and scientific integrity before submission.
Reviewers and editors may use AI tools for minor tasks such as grammar checking. They must not use AI tools to conduct the peer review itself and must not input the text of a manuscript or any other confidential content into any AI system, as this would breach reviewer and editorial confidentiality.
Failure to disclose AI use when AI tools were in fact used in preparing a manuscript is a breach of publication ethics. Such cases will be investigated in accordance with COPE guidelines and may result in rejection or retraction.