AI Policy

The International Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Fertility Sciences recognizes that artificial intelligence (AI) and AI-assisted technologies can support researchers and authors in activities such as language improvement, formatting, data organization, and manuscript preparation. However, the use of AI must not compromise research integrity, originality, confidentiality, authorship, or scientific responsibility.

1. Responsible Use of AI

Authors may use AI tools responsibly for appropriate purposes, including:

  • Improving grammar and language.
  • Correcting spelling and formatting.
  • Improving clarity and readability.
  • Organizing or summarizing information.
  • Supporting manuscript preparation.

Authors remain fully responsible for the final submitted manuscript.

2. AI Cannot Be an Author

Artificial intelligence tools cannot be listed as authors of manuscripts submitted to the International Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Fertility Sciences.

Authorship requires human responsibility for the research, interpretation, manuscript, and final approval.

3. Author Responsibility

Authors remain responsible for:

  • Accuracy of the manuscript.
  • Originality of the research.
  • Accuracy of references and citations.
  • Scientific interpretation.
  • Research conclusions.
  • Ethical compliance.
  • Disclosure of relevant AI use.

AI-generated material should be carefully reviewed and verified before inclusion in a manuscript.

4. Disclosure of AI Use

Where AI tools have made a substantial contribution to manuscript preparation, authors should disclose their use appropriately.

The disclosure may identify:

  • The AI tool used.
  • The purpose for which it was used.
  • The extent of its contribution.

Minor use of AI-assisted spelling or grammar correction may be treated differently from substantial generation or modification of manuscript content.

5. Accuracy and Verification

AI systems can generate incorrect, incomplete, misleading, or fabricated information.

Authors must therefore verify:

  • Scientific facts.
  • References.
  • Statistical information.
  • Citations.
  • Research findings.
  • Clinical information.
  • Technical statements.

Authors must not rely on AI-generated information without appropriate human verification.

6. Plagiarism and Originality

AI-assisted writing does not remove the requirement for originality.

Authors must ensure that AI-assisted content:

  • Does not reproduce another person's work improperly.
  • Does not contain unattributed material.
  • Does not result in duplicate publication.
  • Does not violate copyright.
  • Does not misrepresent another researcher's ideas as original.

The journal's plagiarism and research-integrity requirements continue to apply to AI-assisted manuscripts.

7. Confidentiality and Sensitive Information

Authors should exercise caution when entering unpublished or confidential information into external AI systems.

Confidential:

  • Manuscripts
  • Patient information
  • Personal data
  • Unpublished research findings
  • Proprietary research information

should not be disclosed to AI tools in ways that violate applicable confidentiality, privacy, ethical, or institutional requirements.

8. AI-Generated Images and Data

AI-generated images, figures, datasets, or other research materials must not be presented as genuine experimental or clinical results when they are not.

Authors must ensure that:

  • Research images accurately represent the underlying research.
  • Data are not fabricated or manipulated.
  • AI-generated visual material is appropriately identified where required.
  • Copyright and licensing requirements are respected.

9. AI Use by Reviewers

Reviewers must maintain the confidentiality of manuscripts under review.

Reviewers should not upload unpublished manuscripts or confidential manuscript content to external AI systems when doing so could compromise confidentiality or intellectual property.

Reviewers remain responsible for the originality and quality of their review comments.

10. AI Use by Editors

Editors should use AI-assisted tools responsibly and should protect confidential manuscript information.

Editorial decisions should remain based on appropriate scholarly, scientific, ethical, and peer-review considerations rather than being delegated entirely to an AI system.