Artificial Intelligence Policy

AUTHORS

AI tools cannot be listed as Authors or Co-Authors on manuscripts since they fail to meet the criteria set for authorship, including responsibility for the work. Please read the full policy on AI and authorship here. 

Researchers are fully accountable for the integrity of their work and should use AI tools critically by fully overseeing and validating the output produced by generative AI. This includes checking the sources used in their manuscript as AI generated references can often be incomplete or fabricated.

If using AI tools, the Authors should ensure that the output maintains their creative voice and that it is entirely human-led. 

When using AI tools in their work, researchers should transparently declare its use in the appropriate section of the manuscript, providing as many details as necessary to ensure transparent disclosure. This might entail detailing the prompts, the way AI was used to collect and/or analyse data, references, etc. Depending on how the AI was used in preparing the manuscript, the Authors should use the appropriate section (Methods and Materials or Acknowledgements) in which they are to declare the usage. 

If AI was used as a basic author support tool, e.g. for language checking, punctuation, grammar, etc., the Authors are encouraged to disclose this type of use. 

Any other type of use that impacts the representation or interpretation of research methodology, analysis, results, and conclusions must be fully declared, including assistance with translation, reference organisation, literature review, translation, illustrations, etc. 

The use of AI tools is permitted in ethical research methodologies, ethically conducted literature reviews, systematic reviews, meta-analyses, and bibliometric studies. To ensure transparency and integrity, Authors must provide full methodological details regarding the deployment of these tools and strictly adhere to all relevant reporting guidelines.

Generative AI tools should not be used to create, alter or manipulate original research data and results, in any form. 

The researchers should also take into consideration potential breaches of confidentiality, privacy, intellectual property, and national and international legislation when using AI tools.

FIGURES AND IMAGES

Authors using AI tools to create images for data visualisation stemming from data presented in their manuscript or as explanatory images should disclose this in the appropriate section within the manuscript. Detailing AI use in the captions of the figures or images is also encouraged. 

Authors should not use AI tools to produce or alter (adjusting contrast, brightness, augmenting, concealing…) primary research images, including clinical diagnostic images, western blots, microscopy, etc. 

Authors are responsible for the accuracy and originality of all images and figures in their manuscripts as well ensuring that all AI-generated images do not infringe any copyright or intellectual property rights, identify individuals or personal data, and that all permissions and proper attribution is provided. 

PEER REVIEW PROCESS

In order to protect the intellectual property and confidentiality of the peer review process, the Editors and Reviewers must not upload submitted manuscripts to any external generative AI tool. 

IntechOpen recognises that the peer review process can be supported by tools that might recognise or detect undisclosed AI usage. Therefore, we ensure that all manuscripts in peer-review process are scanned through AI detection software powered by Turnitin. The AI report is only an indication of the potential AI usage and should serve as supportive material in reaching the editorial decision. 

IntechOpen, as a publisher, recognises Editor and Reviewer roles and responsibility for clear communication towards the Authors and allows the use of generative AI as a supportive tool for language polishing or literature research when evaluating manuscripts. However, if using such tools, the Editors and Reviewers should strive to utilize private, rather than free, AI tools, and take full responsibility for the generated output. They should also disclose the use of such tools to the publisher.

PROHIBITED USAGE

Any prohibited usage of generative AI tool that is not aligned with IntechOpen AI policy can be a subject to editorial investigation. 

IntechOpen reserves the right to request further information if potential impermissible usage has been detected. The final decision on whether AI has been used in inappropriate or prohibited way, either in submitted or published manuscript, will be made by the Editor and in accordance with the publisher’s editorial policies. 

In line with IntechOpen refund policy, no refund of the open access publishing fee is possible in instances where prohibited AI usage has been detected in the manuscript, either after acceptance or during the production process, before or after publication. 

Useful resources

For further information and guidance on the responsible use of generative AI in scholarly works, please refer to: 

STM - Generative AI in Scholarly Communications

COPE (Committee on Publication Ethics) - Authorship and AI Tools 

European Commission - Living guidelines on the responsible use of generative AI in research

WAME (World Association of Medical Editors) - WAME Recommendations on ChatGPT and Chatbots in Relation to Scholarly Publications

Disclaimer

Since the AI tools are constantly evolving this policy is to be updated with the most current developments.

Policy last updated: 09 July 2026